Justin Johnson, a golfer who made history as the first champion of the LIV Golf, secured another significant accomplishment by winning the second leg of the season in Las Vegas. At 39 years old, Johnson showcased his skills and emerged victorious in a challenging competition.
Jon Rahm, who had previously held the lead with only four holes remaining, experienced a disappointing finish and ultimately finished in eighth place. The difficult greens at the Las Vegas Country Club posed a challenge for all golfers, making it difficult to score birdies on the final day. To avoid conflicting with the Super Bowl, the final day was moved up to Saturday.
The combination of cold weather and strong winds created unfavorable conditions for most golfers. In the first nine holes, the top five players competing for the title, including Dustin, Uihlein, Wolff, DeChambeau, and Rahm, were separated by only two strokes. However, they managed to accumulate only eight birdies among them, offset by five bogeys.
Rahm, the only player from the previous week’s competition at Mayakoba to reach the final showdown, made a strong push towards the end with a birdie on the 10th hole. His impressive drive left him with a 90-meter wedge shot, further tightening the leaderboard. Peter Uihlein and Matthew Wolff, both talented golfers with their own unique styles, were just one stroke behind Rahm.
On the other hand, DeChambeau faced difficulties after a double bogey on the 10th hole. The two leaders missed an opportunity to gain an advantage on the par 5 15th hole, which was the last chance for respite. Unfortunately, they both bogeyed the 16th hole, opening the door for Rahm.
Dustin Johnson and Kokrak also made their presence known, climbing up the rankings with impressive birdies. Talor Gooch, the reigning LIV champion, was also at 10 under par, creating a six-way tie for the lead. Rahm struggled with his tee shots during the long stretch of holes, resulting in a bogey on the 18th hole and eliminating him from contention. Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson took control of the competition.
In a head-to-head battle with Uihlein, Johnson’s experience proved to be a significant advantage. He made the most of his first putt, securing his third LIV tournament victory without the need for a playoff. In the team event, the Smash team, consisting of Koepka, Kokrak, Gooch, and McDowell, emerged as the winners.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org