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KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia – Top-ranked Dustin Johnson won the Saudi International for the second time in three years on Sunday after scoring 2 under 68 in the final round to finish 2 strokes off Justin Rose and Tony Finau.
Johnson, who was also a finalist in 2020, recorded his best round of the tournament at the Royal Greens Golf Club, but still finished top of the table with 15 under overall.
Scotsman Calum Hill managed the 18th par five to tie for fourth with Frenchman Victor Perez.
Johnson took a 2-stroke lead in the final round but the Masters champion struggled on the greens and was caught by Finau when his fellow American birdie hatched from the 11th.
However, Johnson fell back ahead with a birdie on the 13th and got a bit of a breather when Finau dropped shots on the 16th and 17th and Perez doubled up on the 16th.
Johnson also dropped a shot on the 16th to see his lead reduced to one, but he responded in style with a huge tee shot on the next and a 2-foot throw to set up a decisive birdie.
“I saw the standings a bit, the guys were playing well, but I gave myself a lot of chances,” Johnson told Sky Sports. “I didn’t hit a lot of them, but I ended up having a really nice 13 putt.
“Seventeen was a really good birdie, he had a great drive there and a nice little chip, but it was tough all day today.
“I can’t play around the world as much as I would like, but it’s really good not to win on my tour and after Augusta to get my first win again, obviously the game is still really good form and I’m really excited about the rest of the year. “
Rasmus Hojgaard, Ryan Fox, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton finished in a tie at four for sixth on 11 under.
The Saudi International is the last of three “Gulf Swing” events which launch 2021 on the European tour.
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