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Dustin Johnson made history with his win at Augusta. America’s world number one once left a difficult young man and now the biggest curse behind him, also thanks to Wayne Gretzky, his future father-in-law.
Augusta. Only one fashion trend counts at the Augusta Masters. His fiancee Paulina Gretzky presented a green Adidas jacket (now sold out), and Dustin Johnson did the same on Sunday: with 268 strokes (20 under par), the American world number one beat Jordan Spieth (2015) and Tiger Woods ( 1997)) and triumphed for the first time in the most prestigious of the four great tournaments. After donning the green jacket (size 42 long) at the traditional ceremony with last year’s winner Woods, he was overwhelmed with emotions.
“It feels like a dream. Even as a kid, I really wanted to win the Masters, ”said Johnson, who grew up just an hour’s drive away, eyes wet. Just before Augusta, a crown infection had interrupted the 36-year-old’s successful season (four wins, including the PGA final, top ten in the other majors). After the second big win after the 2016 US Open, he now celebrates his 104th week as world number one. “2020 is a really strange year. But it’s good for me. “
Johnson’s now so richly decorated career ($ 70.7 million in prize money) almost never began. As a teenager, he got into the wrong circles, and when he was 16 years old, he was robbed in a car and stolen a weapon that was later used in a murder. “Then I looked at myself in the mirror and realized: ‘That’s not what I am and it’s not what I want to be. I wanted to go to college, I wanted to play golf, ”Johnson recalled. The professional, whom the American media accused of drug addiction during his escape in 2014, has given up the party life, father of two is one of the most athletic players today (before Bryson DeChambeau became the benchmark of the musculature).
The secret of success is in the family
The secret of his success is also in the family. Actually, he’s only involved as a temp worker, his younger brother Austin has been a caddy since 2013. At the same time, Johnson met his fiancée Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. “The Big One” became something of his personal mental trainer. In joint rounds of golf, the four-time Stanley Cup winner relayed his experiences with the life of a star, the external pressure to succeed, and internal expectations.
But only Johnson was able to win the fight against himself. Five times a guided tour at Majors had been played on the last day, at Augusta he broke this curse in impressive fashion. “I dream of winning many majors, I hope this victory will help me.” In five months, Johnson will have his next shot at the traditional April Masters.
Bernd Wiesberger made the cut for the fifth time in a row, a failed Saturday (six over par) meant his worst result at the Masters, 58th.
Masters ($ 11.5 million, par 72), final score: 1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 268 hits (65/70/65/68), 2. Cameron Smith (AUS) 273 (67/68/69/69) and Im Sung-jae (KOR) 273 (66 / 70 / 68/69). In addition, among others: 5. McIlroy (NIR) 277 (75/66/67/69), 34. DeChambeau (USA) 286 (70/74/69/73), 38. Woods (USA). ) 287 (68 / 71/72 / 76), 58 Bernd Wiesberger 294 (71/72/78/73).
(swi)
