Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dustin Johnson

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dustin Johnson made an impact.

Dustin Johnson is a celebrated American professional golfer, known for his powerful drives and impressive record. He has secured two major championships: the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters Tournament, setting a record score at the latter. Johnson has also achieved six World Golf Championships victories, placing him second only to Tiger Woods in this category and is the only player to win each of the four World Golf Championship events. Since 2022, he has been a participant in The LIV Golf League.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2007: Turned Professional in Late 2007

Dustin Johnson turned professional in late 2007.

2007: Won Monroe Invitational and Northeast Amateur

In 2007, as an amateur, Dustin Johnson won the Monroe Invitational and the Northeast Amateur. He also played on the winning 2007 Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams.

October 2008: Won First PGA Tour Event

In October 2008, Dustin Johnson won his first PGA Tour event, the Turning Stone Resort Championship in upstate New York.

2008: Earned 2008 PGA Tour Card

In 2008, Dustin Johnson earned his PGA Tour card by finishing in a tie for 14th place at the 2007 qualifying school in December.

2009: Made Consecutive Eagles at 2009 Masters

During the final round of the 2009 Masters Tournament, Dustin Johnson became only the second person in Masters Tournament history to eagle consecutive holes, finishing the 2009 season ranked 15th on the PGA Tour money list.

2009: Won 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

In 2011, Dustin Johnson referenced that the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am was his second 54-hole tournament victory of his career.

February 2010: Defended AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Title

In February 2010, Dustin Johnson successfully defended his AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am title, defeating David Duval and J. B. Holmes.

2010: Three Times Part of the Final Group at a Major Championship

As of 2011, Dustin Johnson had been part of the final group on Sunday at a major championship three times. This occurred in three out of the four majors; the 2010 U.S. Open, the 2010 PGA Championship and the 2011 Open Championship.

2010: Took Three-Shot Lead at 2010 U.S. Open

At the 2010 U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson took a three-shot lead over Graeme McDowell but struggled in the final round, shooting an 82 to finish tied for eighth.

2010: Won 2010 BMW Championship

In 2011, Dustin Johnson referenced that the 2010 BMW Championship was his second FedEx Cup playoff event win of his career.

March 2011: Finished Runner-Up at 2011 WGC-Cadillac Championship

In March 2011, Dustin Johnson entered the final round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship with a two stroke lead over the rest of the field. However he could only manage a final round one-under-par 71 to finish as runner-up behind Nick Watney.

2011: Finished in a Tie for Second at 2011 Open Championship

In 2011, Dustin Johnson finished in a tie for second at The Open Championship.

2011: Won 2011 The Barclays

In 2011, Dustin Johnson won The Barclays, beating Matt Kuchar by two strokes. It was his second 54-hole tournament victory of his career, after the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am; the tournament was shortened due to the threat of Hurricane Irene. Also, it was Johnson's second FedEx Cup playoff event win, after the 2010 BMW Championship.

2012: Incurred Back Injury and Won FedEx St. Jude Classic

In March 2012, Dustin Johnson incurred a back injury and missed over two months. He returned to competition in late May and won his sixth tour event, the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.

2013: Won Hyundai Tournament of Champions and WGC-HSBC Champions

In 2013, Dustin Johnson won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and the WGC-HSBC Champions, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods to win at least once in each of his first seven seasons coming out of college.

2013: Won 2013 WGC-HSBC Champions

In 2017, Dustin Johnson referenced that he had won the 2013 WGC-HSBC Champions.

2015: Missed Putt at 2015 U.S. Open

At the 2015 U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson missed a three-foot putt on the 18th hole to give the title to Jordan Spieth.

2015: Led 2015 Open Championship After 36 Holes

Dustin Johnson led the 2015 Open Championship at The Old Course after 36 holes but fell out of contention.

2015: Finished in a Tie for Second at 2015 U.S. Open

In 2015, Dustin Johnson finished in a tie for second at the U.S. Open.

2015: Ranked First in Driving Distance on the PGA Tour

In 2015, Dustin Johnson ranked first in driving distance on the PGA Tour.

2015: Won 2015 WGC-Cadillac Championship

In 2017, Dustin Johnson referenced that he had won the 2015 WGC-Cadillac Championship.

June 19, 2016: Won 2016 U.S. Open Amid Controversy

On June 19, 2016, Dustin Johnson won the 2016 U.S. Open, his first major title. The win was surrounded by controversy due to a one-shot penalty after an incident on the fifth green where his ball moved slightly.

July 9, 2016: Withdrew From 2016 Summer Olympics

On July 9, 2016, Dustin Johnson confirmed that he would not be participating in the 2016 Summer Olympics, because of concerns over the Zika virus.

September 11, 2016: Won 2016 BMW Championship

On September 11, 2016, Dustin Johnson won the BMW Championship.

2016: Won 2016 U.S. Open

In 2016, Dustin Johnson won the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club with a score of 4-under-par 276.

2016: Won 2016 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

In 2017, Dustin Johnson referenced that he had won the 2016 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

February 2017: Became World Number One Ranked Golfer

In February 2017, Dustin Johnson became the world number one ranked golfer and remained there for 64 consecutive weeks.

2017: Won 2017 WGC-Mexico Championship and 2017 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

In 2017, Dustin Johnson won the WGC-Mexico Championship and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, becoming the first player to win all four of the WGC crowns.

2017: Withdrew from 2017 Masters Tournament Due to Injury

Prior to the 2017 Masters Tournament, Dustin Johnson suffered a back injury after falling down a staircase and withdrew from the event.

January 2018: Won Sentry Tournament of Champions

In January 2018, Dustin Johnson won the Sentry Tournament of Champions for the second time, marking his 11th straight season with a title on the PGA Tour.

June 2018: Held 36-Hole Lead at U.S. Open

In June 2018, Dustin Johnson held the 36-hole lead at the U.S. Open but finished in third place.

July 2018: Victory at the RBC Canadian Open

In July 2018, Dustin Johnson secured his third victory of the season at the RBC Canadian Open. He won by three strokes, surpassing An Byeong-hun and Kim Meen-whee, after beginning the final round in a four-way tie for the lead.

September 2018: Participation in the 2018 Ryder Cup

In September 2018, Dustin Johnson was part of the U.S. team that participated in the 2018 Ryder Cup. The U.S. team was defeated by the European team with a score of 17 1/2 to 10 1/2 at Le Golf National near Paris, France.

September 30, 2018: Alleged Disagreement at the Ryder Cup

On the evening of September 30, 2018, following the U.S. team's loss at the Ryder Cup, it was alleged that Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka had to be separated after a disagreement.

2018: Returned to Number 1 Position

In 2018, Dustin Johnson returned to the number 1 position in golf.

February 2019: Victory at the Saudi International and WGC-Mexico Championship

In February 2019, Dustin Johnson achieved two significant wins. He won the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour, finishing two strokes ahead of China's Li Haotong. Later in February 2019, he also won the WGC-Mexico Championship for the third time, marking his 20th career PGA Tour win.

April 2019: Runner-up Finish at the Masters Tournament

In April 2019, Dustin Johnson tied for second place in the Masters Tournament, finishing one stroke behind Tiger Woods. This close finish added to his record in major championships.

December 2019: Participation in the 2019 Presidents Cup

In December 2019, Dustin Johnson was part of the U.S. team that won the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia. Johnson contributed with a 2-2-0 record, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Li Haotong.

2019: Returned to Number 1 Position

In 2019, Dustin Johnson returned to the number 1 position in golf.

2020: Won 2020 Travelers Championship

By virtue of his 2020 Travelers Championship win, Johnson became the third player in PGA Tour history to win a Tour title in each of his first 13 seasons.

2020: Returned to Number 1 Position

In 2020, Dustin Johnson returned to the number 1 position in golf.

2020: Won 2020 Masters Tournament

In 2020, Dustin Johnson won the Masters Tournament with a record score of 268, 20-under-par.

2020: Withdrawal from the 2020 Summer Olympics

In 2020, Dustin Johnson's agent announced that he would not be participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics due to his schedule.

2020: Second place at PGA Championship and win at The Northern Trust

In August 2020, Dustin Johnson held the lead at the 2020 PGA Championship before finishing second. Two weeks later, Johnson won The Northern Trust at TPC Boston with a score of 30 under par, also setting a new career low round.

2020: Victory at the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup

On September 7, 2020, Dustin Johnson won the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club and the $15 million FedEx Cup. Consequently, he was voted the 2020 PGA Tour Player of the Year for the second time.

September 2021: Participation and Win in the 2021 Ryder Cup

In September 2021, Dustin Johnson was a member of the U.S. team that won the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. He achieved a 5–0–0 record and also won the inaugural Nicklaus-Jacklin Award.

2021: Start of 2021-22 Season

Dustin Johnson was part of the official money list for the 2021–22 season, before his removal.

2021: Returned to Number 1 Position

In 2021, Dustin Johnson returned to the number 1 position in golf.

June 2022: Resigned from PGA Tour to join LIV Golf

In June 2022, Dustin Johnson resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf.

June 2022: Joining LIV Golf and Resigning from the PGA Tour

In June 2022, Dustin Johnson's decision to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series led to the end of his sponsorship with RBC. Following this, he resigned from the PGA Tour, making him ineligible for PGA Tour events and the Presidents Cup.

June 2022: Removal from PGA Tour Money List

In June 2022, Johnson was removed from the official money list for 2021–22 due to his joining LIV Golf and resigning his PGA Tour membership.

September 5, 2022: Victory at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston

On September 5, 2022, Dustin Johnson won the LIV Golf Invitational Boston at The International Golf Club in Bolton, Massachusetts. He secured the win after a 3-player playoff, scoring an eagle on the 18th hole.

2022: Joined The LIV Golf League

In 2022, Dustin Johnson joined The LIV Golf League.

2022: 2022 Season

In 2022, Johnson started with a T25 at the Farmers Insurance Open, tied for ninth at The Players Championship, finished in fourth place at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, and T12 at the 2022 Masters Tournament. He missed the cut at the 2022 PGA Championship.