Kohler, United States
Dustin Johnson led by example at Whistling Straits this week, becoming just the fifth player in Ryder Cup history to win five of five matches as he spearheaded America’s sensational 19-9 victory over Europe.
The oldest player on a new-look squad that had an average age of 29.4, Johnson was the only American to play five matches.
With his 1-up win over Paul Casey the world number two became the first American since Larry Nelson in 1979 to win in every session.
The only others to accomplish the feat were Americans Arnold Palmer and Gardner Dickinson in 1967 and Italy’s Francesco Molinari for Europe in 2018.
In characteristic fashion, two-time major winner downplayed the accomplishment, but his youthful teammates were less reticent.
“That’s 5-0, ladies and gentlemen, 5-0,” Collin Morikawa crowed with a nod to the two-time major winner.
“I had good partners though,” said Johnson — who teamed with Morikawa to win two foursomes matches and a four-balls and won another four-balls match with Xander Schauffele.
Johnson capped the run with his narrow victory over Casey — who had already lost to the American three times in the first two days.
Their singles match was a close affair, the first five holes tied before Johnson rolled in a tricky 11-foot birdie putt at the sixth to go 1-up. The lead didn’t last long, as Casey won the par-3 seventh with a par as Johnson failed to reach the green.—APP
