The Most Intense LIV Golf Series Event... Johnson Wins in Playoff with Eagle

World No. 2 Smith Proves Blockbuster Status with a 7-Under Par Surge

[Asia Economy Reporter Seonjin Byun] Dustin Johnson (USA) secured his first victory after his fourth attempt in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

Dustin Johnson Striking a Pose [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 4th (local time), at The International (par 70) in Bolton, Massachusetts, USA, during the final round of the 4th LIV Golf Invitational Series event (total prize money $25 million), Johnson won after a playoff against Anirban Lahiri (India) and Joaqu?n Niemann (Chile). Johnson had joined from the first LIV Golf series in London and had finished in the top 10 in all three series but had never won before.

Entering the final round in third place the previous day, Johnson shot a 5-under 65 with six birdies and one bogey. Although he made a bogey on the 1st hole (par 4), he immediately recovered with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 3). He recorded consecutive birdies on the 5th and 6th holes (par 4) and another birdie on the 8th hole (par 5). On the back nine, he made consecutive birdies on the 12th (par 5) and 13th (par 3) holes, finishing with a total score of 15-under 195. However, a blemish came on the final 18th hole (par 5) when his second shot went far off the fairway, resulting in a par and pushing the contest into a playoff.

Ultimately, Johnson competed in the LIV Golf Series' first-ever playoff against Lahiri and Niemann, who were both making their LIV Golf debuts. The playoff ended surprisingly quickly. Niemann made mistakes on both his tee shot and second shot, while Lahiri's second shot overshot the green and landed in the rough. Johnson successfully reached the green in two shots and sank an eagle putt to clinch the victory. Johnson took home the $4 million winner's prize plus the team event victory, totaling $4.75 million (approximately 6.5 billion KRW).

Meanwhile, world number two Cameron Smith, who joined this tournament for the first time after a $100 million transfer fee, proved to be a definite draw for LIV by threatening the lead on the final day. Smith recorded one eagle and six birdies while making only one bogey, climbing to a tie for 4th place, just one stroke behind the leader.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.