FROM THE TRAVELERS: D.J. Wins by One to Keep Streak Alive
FROM THE TRAVELERSCHAMPIONSHIP.COM
Dustin Johnson won the 2020 Travelers Championship on Sunday, June 28, extending the longest current streak on the PGA TOUR for consecutive seasons with a victory to 13. The all-time record is 17, held by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Johnson shot a three-under-par 67 at TPC River Highlands, winning the Travelers Championship by one shot over 2014 tournament winner Kevin Streelman. Johnson finished at 19-under-par 261, capturing the Travelers for the first time in his fourth appearance. It marks his 21st career victory on the PGA Tour, and gives him at least one win in all 13 seasons he’s been on tour.
Ranked No. 6 in the world at the start of the week, Johnson began the final round trailing Brendon Todd by two shots. Paired in the final group with Todd, Johnson caught him with birdies at Nos. 4 and 5, then took the outright lead after making a short birdie putt at the par-4 ninth hole. He pushed the lead to two shots with another birdie at the 10th.
Just when it appeared Johnson would run away with the tournament, he pulled his drive out-of-bounds on the par-5 13th. That led to a bogey. Another pulled drive, this one at the short par-4 15th, almost ended up in the lake. Johnson, forced to take his shoes and socks off and stand in the water to play his second shot, managed to save par on the hole, minutes before play was suspended because of bad weather.
A bogey by Johnson at the par-3 16th hole once play resumed cut his lead to one stroke. Streelman, who closed with seven straight birdies when he won in 2014, shot a 67 in the final round. He missed birdie putts on the final two holes in a bid to tie Johnson, who made routine two-putt pars at the 17th and 18th to secure his victory.
Will Gordon, who received a sponsor’s exemption, shot a 64 to finish in a tie for third at 17-under with Mackenzie Hughes. Kevin Na shot 67 to finish alone in fifth place at 16 under.
It was announced on Sunday that the tournament has generated more than $1.6 million for charity this year. The 2021 Travelers Championship will be held June 21-27.