World No. 1 battles from cut line to leader before Brian Harman's win <\/p>\n
By many accounts, Dustin Johnson's work at the Wells Fargo Championship proved a successful PGA Tour return. <\/p>\n
It was almost successful enough to win a fourth-straight tournament. <\/p>\n
The world's No. 1 player went from reaching the 1-over cut line on the number to the lead after birdying No. 18 Sunday. Minutes later, a 28-foot beauty there by Brian Harman prevented Johnson from remaining unbeaten on the Tour since February. <\/p>\n
\"The first two days I didn't play that bad,\" said Johnson, who finished second at 9-under with Pat Perez. \"I had a good practice session before my third round and hit it well the last two days. I'm pleased with where my game is going into next week.\" <\/p>\n
He suffered a freak back injury after falling down stairs days before the Masters and had to withdraw. The Columbia, S.C. native hadn't played since the World Golf Championships in early March. <\/p>\n
Johnson noted some rustiness, which showed on Friday when he went 3-over for the round and narrowly stayed alive for the weekend. <\/p>\n
Maybe that practice session was all he needed to better understand windy Wilmington. Two 67s provide plenty of evidence. <\/p>\n
He made his charge Sunday thanks to back-to-back birdies on Nos. 12-13. A 37-footer for another bird lipped out a hole later. <\/p>\n
\"Hey DJ, Calabash loves you,\" shouted one fan while Johnson made his way on 14. <\/p>\n
Judging by the crowd swelling, the devotion went beyond the Brunswick County hamlet. <\/p>\n
Perhaps the best way to tell Johnson was back in a groove was how he hit out of trouble on 12 and 16. <\/p>\n
He avoided water at 12, and managed a birdie anyway. <\/p>\n
\"I didn't catch it quite like I wanted to, but it was still on a pretty good line,\" Johnson said. \"I guess you could say I got lucky it didn't go into the water but a little bit unlucky that it lands where it did and doesn't land on the green. Either or I guess.\" <\/p>\n
The 16th was also iffy thanks to a tee shot that landed deep in pine straw. Again he found a way out and managed par. <\/p>\n
His short game was on Sunday -- not just on 18, but also an 18-foot putt on 2 -- and it appeared that put him in position for a fourth-straight trophy.No one has won four or more in a season since Jason Day and Jordan Spieth (five each) in 2015. <\/p>\n
If Wells Fargo was any indication, Johnson is poised to break Day and Spieth's mark. <\/p>\n
\"Physically, I'm really good,\" Johnson said. \"Everything's 100 percent, feeling great. I can swing at it, no problems. Still got a lot of practice to do to get ready for next week, but looking forward to it.\" <\/p>\n
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Dustin Johnson pleased with progress in return - StarNewsOnline.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" World No. 1 battles from cut line to leader before Brian Harman's win By many accounts, Dustin Johnson's work at the Wells Fargo Championship proved a successful PGA Tour return. Continue reading