Top 10 Interesting Facts about Dustin Johnson

Golfer Dustin Johnson. Photo by Tour Pro Golf Clubs on Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Dustin Johnson

Dustin Hunter Johnson is an American professional golfer who has several records. He was born on 22nd June 1984 in Colombia, South Carolina. Before debuting his professional career, he played collegiate golf at Coastal Carolina University where he majored in Sports Management.

Dustin’s record since the amateur period was so impressive as he won the Monroe Invitational and the Northeast Amateur in 2007. He played on the winning 2007 Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams which he starred with brilliant performances. In his professional career, Dustin Johnson won two major championships, during the 2016 United States Open at Oakmont Country Club and the 2020 Masters Tournament.

In the 2016 US Open, he had a 4-under-par score of 276. In the 2020 Masters Tournament, he had a record score of 268, 20-under-par. Dustin finished in a tie for second at both the 2011 Open Championship and the 2015 US Open. Johnson boasts of six World Golf Championships victories with only Tiger Woods winning more. He is also the first player to win each of the four World Golf Championship events.

Here are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about Dustin Johnson:

1. Dustin Played Collegiate Golf and Won Two Awards

The golf career of Dustin Johnson began earlier in his life. He began as an amateur while in college where he played collegiate golf at Coastal Carolina University. At Coastal Carolina University, Dustin majored in Sports Management.

During his amateur period, Dustin Johnson won two awards, Monroe Invitational and the Northeast Amateur in 2007. He also played on the winning 2007 Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams.

2. Johnson Won his First PGA Tour Event Towards the End of His Rookie Season

Dustin Johnson practising putting during a practice round at Torrey Pines before the 2008 US Open. Photo by Jeffrey Gordon on Wikimedia

After his success in the amateur league, Dustin Johnson turned professional in late 2007. It did not take him long to become a pro in his professional career. He earned his 2008 PGA Tour card by finishing in a tie for 14th place at the 2007 qualifying school in December.

Before he completed his rookie season in October 2008, Dustin Johnson began winning more in his career. He won his first PGA Tour event, the Turning Stone Resort Championship in upstate New York.

3. He is the Second Person in Masters Tournament History to Eagle Consecutive Holes

After his debut in professional golfing, Dustin Johnson began making an instant impact on his career. In one year, he managed to win two Tour events and made some records too.

During the 2009 Masters Tournament, Dustin Johnson managed to make some history with his brilliant play. He became the second person in Masters Tournament history to eagle consecutive holes.

Dustin Johnson made an eagle putt on the 13th hole and holed out from 173 yards on the 14th hole during the final round to accomplish this feat. He got ranked in position 15th on the PGA Tour money list during the 2009 season.

4. Dustin had a Remarkable Start in 2010 as He Defeated Two Golf Champions

U.S. Open Golf Practice Round June 13, 2011. Photo by Keith Allison on Wikimedia

2010 was a successful year for Dustin Johnson as his career was taking the right direction. In early 2010, he birdied the final hole to defeat former world number one, David Duval. He also defeated two-time PGA Tour winner J.B. Holmes to successfully defend his AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am title.

His success in Pebble Beach continued as he shot 71-70-66 which enabled him to take a three-shot lead over Graeme McDowell at the 2010 U.S. Open. However, Dustin faced some early trouble which he never recovered from as he shot an 82 and finished tied for eighth as McDowell won the championship.

5. He Finished the 2010 Season at 4th Unlike 2009’s 15th Position

The way Dustin Johnson began his 2010 season was so positive that he got a positive finish of the season. His season was full of wins even though he had a bad streak of bad luck mid-season.

During the FedEx Cup, he managed to get past the playoff event of the season at the BMW Championship at Cog Hill in September. Dustin managed to win his fourth career PGA Tour and it was his first victory in any FedEx Cup playoff event. In the 2010 season, Dustin Johnson finished in the 4th position on the PGA Tour money list.

6. Johnson’s Second FedEx Win Made Him The Second Highest Ranked American in 2011

U.S. Open Golf Practice Round June 13, 2011. Photo by Keith Allison on Wikimedia

The 2011 season was another top one for Dustin Johnson who replicated the form he had during the 2010 season. He won his fifth PGA Tour title at The Barclays in the first event in the FedEx Cup playoff. This was his second 54-hole tournament victory in his career.

He shot rounds of 66-63-65 to win at -19 which was his second FedEx Cup playoff event win of his career. This win took him to a career-high of 4th in the world ranked and the second-highest American after Steve Stricker.

7. Dustin became the First Player Since Tiger Woods to Achieve Golf Feat

Since leaving college and making his debut in professional golf, Dustin Johnson was winning several events in various seasons. In each season, Dustin won the PGA Tour event as he kept approaching a record that was held by Tiger Woods.

In November 2014, Johnson won the WGC-HSBC Champions which was part of the 2013-14 PGA Tour season. His achievement made him the first player since Tiger Woods to win at least once in each of his first seven seasons since coming out of college.

8. He Faced Media Controversies after Taking Rest during 2014 Season

Dustin Johnson. Photo by Ryan on Wikimedia

Since leaving college, Dustin Johnson played golf for consecutive seasons winning major events. Over this period of gaming, Dustin Johnson seemed to have worn out and decided to take some rest. On 31st July 2014, he announced his decision to rest to seek professional help over personal issues.

However, several controversies came up courtesy of the media bringing up conflicting reports. On 1st August, there were reports from Golf Magazine that Dustin was suspended from the PGA Tour for testing positive for cocaine.

This magazine claimed that it was his third positive drug test after 2009 positive for marijuana and 2012 for cocaine. However, PGA Tour officials backed Dustin by making it clear that he was on voluntary leave and not a suspension.

9. Dustin Won the 2020 Tour Championship and $15 Million FedEx Cup

Dustin Johnson hoists the championship trophy following his victory in the LIV Golf Invitational Boston tournament. Photo by JazzyJoeyD on Wikimedia

After returning from his leave in 2014, Dustin Johnson continued his brilliant golf career. He continued winning several events and breaking more records on the way.

On 7th September, he won the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf club in Atlanta, Georgia. On top of this win, Dustin also won the $15 million FedEx Cup. Dustin was voted the 2020 PGA Tour Player of the Year for the second time in his golf career.

10. He is Married to One Wife and has Two Sons

Dustin Johnson has never hidden his personal life from the media. In August 2013, he got engaged to Paulina Gretzky, daughter of Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones. She is a model, singer and celebutante.

The two had met in 2009 and officially started dating in early 2013. Johnson and Paulina got married on April 23rd 2022 at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee. The two have two sons, Tatum Gretzky Johnson born in 2015 and River Jones Johnson born in 2017.