Epic collapse: Third-round leader Johnson implodes with triple on 2
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - Dustin Johnson learned Sunday being in the lead after 54 holes in a U.S. Open at Pebble Beach is not the place to be.
So much for the powerful 25-year-old being the new "Prince of Pebble." A day after talking confidently about his chances at a first major title, Johnson would have preferred a hiding spot in the rocky seaside cliffs.
Much like Gil Morgan 18 years ago along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Johnson crumbled Sunday in the final round. The young star shot an 11-over 82, going from 6 under and a 3-shot lead following a sizzling 66 on Saturday, to 5 over and barely hanging on to a finish in the top 10.
More important, Johnson's collapse came early, blowing open the tournament and giving new life to those who started the day 5, 6, 7 shots back. While the names Tiger, Phil and Ernie were brought back into contention by Johnson's struggles, it turned out to be his playing partner, Graeme McDowell, that walked home with the title after finishing the tournament at even par.
"I thought after the way he played yesterday if the same guy turned up he was going to be really tough to beat," McDowell said after holding on for a 1-shot victory.
Johnson's 82 was the second-worst round of the day and the worst final round by a 54-hole leader since Fred McCloud's 83 in 1911. And now, Johnson will be remembered in the same way as Morgan.
"Playing so poorly, I still had fun today," Johnson said. "I enjoyed playing today. You know, (I'll) get it done next time."
In 1992, Morgan held the lead going to the final day, only to shoot an 81 while Tom Kite played flawless to win his only major championship.
Johnson's struggles conjured memories of Morgan. Having solved Pebble for wins in the past two February PGA Tour stops here, Johnson saw his Saturday night lead gone by the time he reached the fourth tee. Johnson made a triple bogey on No. 2, a double at the third and a bogey at four and seven.
He failed to make a birdie in his final round, after making 11 birdies and an eagle the first three days.
"It can do that around this place," Tiger Woods said. "Just because you are playing well it doesn't mean it can't happen to you. This golf course, it baits you into being aggressive."
Johnson's troubles began when he hit his approach shot into an awkward lie in a bunker on No. 2, then had to chip out left-handed. The ball barely squirted out, then Johnson's fourth shot from the deep grass popped up and moved about two feet. He missed a 3-foot putt for double bogey and wound up with a 7. It was part of a triple-bogey, double-bogey, bogey stretch that sent him from 6 under to 1 over in the span of seven holes.
"I think there were a number of guys that as soon as Dustin made a triple, it was a wide-open tournament," Phil Mickelson said. "Many guys had a chance."