Dustin Johnson Wins LIV Tulsa Playoff to Take Momentum to PGA Championship

On the first hole of LIV Tulsa’s sudden death playoff, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Branden Grace all stuck their approach shots to leave short-range birdie opportunities, with Smith being the closest of the bunch. 

It was Johnson—a two-time major champion—who subsequently nailed his putt at Cedar Ridge Country Club’s 18th to win the LIV Tulsa event. 

Following the conclusion of a long day that included an afternoon weather delay, Johnson seemed proud of his second individual victory on the Saudi-backed tour, but he sounded more impressed with his mid-day rebound after a nasty triple bogey at the par-4 10th hole. 

Johnson made three birdies after the blip, including one on the 18th hole to get himself a spot in the three-man playoff at 17 under after 54 holes. 

MORE: Final prize money from LIV Golf Tulsa

“It was nice obviously, you know, after I made seven on No. 10—just a little bit unlucky and obviously ran down the path, went in the water, dropped it, it was in mud. Man, missed a four-footer for double. Everything I could do wrong, I did wrong on that hole, but to fight back and birdie the 18th two times in a row, when I had to, obviously really happy with that," he said. "I’m really playing well, so it’s really good. I’ve got a lot of momentum going into next week."  

Johnson, along with 16 other LIV Golf members, will head to the second major of the season, the PGA Championship, in Rochester, N.Y., next week at Oak Hill Country Club. For that reason, Johnson claimed he wouldn't be doing much celebrating after claiming the individual title and $4 million winner’s prize. 

“No, not celebrating,” Johnson said. “I have to get right back to work.”

Smith, the reigning British Open champion, will also carry a significant amount of momentum heading into Oak Hill next week. The Aussie carded a bogey free, 9-under 61 on Sunday to skyrocket up the leaderboard after a steady 2-under 68 on Saturday. Smith’s final round of 61 tied Grace’s Friday score, which set the LIV Golf scoring record. 

Harold Varner III finished in solo fourth place at 13 under. Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau also had strong showings, as they both tied for fifth at 12 under, along with Eugenio Chacarra.

At the LIV Orlando event on week prior to the Masters, the first major of the season, Koepka emerged victorious. He went on to finish tied for second at Augusta National just one week later.  

Grace’s Stinger GC won the Tulsa team competition by one shot over Johnson’s 4Aces.