Dustin Johnson ends the drought by winning the Travelers Championship

CROMWELL, Conn. – Dustin Johnson won the Travelers Championship on Sunday to end a long drought and extend his career season win streak to 13.

Johnson closed with a 3-under 67 for a one-stroke win over Kevin Streelman in the fan-free TPC River Highlands. Johnson last won in Mexico City in March 2019.

“I am definitely proud of myself that I have continued the series and I want to keep it going,” said Johnson. “However, it has been a long time between victories and hopefully it won’t take that long for the next one.”

Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus each won in 17 consecutive years. Johnson could not win in 2014, but will be recognized for the 2013/14 season win after his win in Shanghai in fall 2013. The tour changed to an all-round season in 2013.

Johnson tapped Par-4-18 on Par, raising his ball to acknowledge the applause from course workers, officials, and reporters, the only personal witnesses admitted to the coronavirus pandemic.

He finished his 21st PGA Tour title with 19 under 261.

Streelman also shot 67.

Streelman, who won seven birdies in a row at the TPC River Highlands in 2014, had a 37-foot birdie attempt at 18 that ended only briefly and correctly.

He was two hits behind Johnson on the 17th fairway when the Wetterhorn blew for an hour of storm deceleration.

Johnson came out of the delay and hit his tee on the 16th in a bunker on the green. His second shot went far beyond the hole and made Bogey to cut his lead into one blow.

“I had a couple of missed cuts, so it’s nice to come back and finish a solo second, but being so close and performing and being right there I’m just a little disappointed at the moment,” said Streelman .

Johnson was under 19 when his tee shot left on Par-4-15 and was just inches from the typical lake that surrounds the target holes. His first pitch didn’t make it to the green and he hit the second to 4 feet to save par.

“It was a stroke of luck, but you still had to do a lot of ups and downs to do par,” he said.

Canadian Mackenzie Hughes, who shot 60 in the first round, had a 67 for third place with 23-year-old Will Gordon at the age of 17.

Hughes from Dundas, Ontario made a 48-foot birdie putt on the 17th, which he started well to the left of the hole and watched him turn right to the flag. He ended the round with a much straight 43-foot birdie putt to 18.

Gordon, who has no status on either the PGA Tour or the Korn Ferry Tour, had seven birdies in a 64. His third place was just enough to earn him a special temporary card and unlimited exceptions for the rest of the season.

His lonely Bogey came on the 17th and dropped him briefly to fourth place.

“I knew the higher the better, so I watched the rankings come in,” he said.

Johnson started the day two strokes behind Brendon Todd and took the lead after three birdies put him down to 20 after 10 holes.

Todd shot a 75 to finish 11th with 13. He made a 7 on par-4 12 ..

Roger Sloan of Merritt, BC, the only other Canadian to cut the weekend, shot a 3-over 73 and ended the par.

Bryson DeChambeau shot a 68 and finished in sixth with 15.

The best-placed Rory McIlroy finished 11th after 67 points with 13.

“There were some really good things, but only a few really stupid mistakes,” he said.

Phil Mickelson, who competed in his first tournament since he was 50, followed his opening rounds of 64 and 63 with two 71s and ended with 11 under.

“I see progress this week,” he said. “The goal is certainly to win golf tournaments, but keep in mind that I missed some cuts. I didn’t play at the level I wanted and this week I came in and had a lot of great finds. I got a lot of good shots made a lot of good tees. My mistakes were a lot better. “

There were seven COVID-19 related withdrawals from the Connecticut event with two positive tests among players. Cameron Champion retired on Tuesday and Denny McCarthy had a positive test on Friday.

The PGA Tour is making some changes to its corona virus guidelines due to this week’s issues. Players, caddies, and anyone else who is considered to be “in the bladder” must take a negative test before they are approved for the Rocket Mortgage Classic on the Detroit Golf Club grounds.