Dustin Hunter Johnson is a highly accomplished American professional golfer known for his impressive wins in major championships and World Golf Championships. He has secured victory in two major championships, the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters Tournament, setting a record score in the latter. Johnson's consistent performance is evident in his second-place finishes at the 2011 Open Championship and the 2015 U.S. Open. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the sole player to have triumphed in all four World Golf Championship events, a feat unmatched even by Tiger Woods, who trails behind with a still impressive number of wins. Currently, Johnson showcases his skills as a member of The LIV Golf League, a move he made in 2022.
June 22, 1984: Birth of Dustin Hunter Johnson
Dustin Hunter Johnson was born on June 22, 1984, in Columbia, South Carolina.
1997: Tiger Woods Sets Masters Tournament Record
In 1997, Tiger Woods etched his name in Masters Tournament history by setting a new scoring record, a feat that would later be equaled and surpassed.
1999: David Duval's Record-Breaking Win
In 1999, David Duval set a record at the Sentry Tournament of Champions by winning with a nine-stroke lead.
2007: Dustin Johnson's Amateur Golf Success
As an amateur golfer, Dustin Johnson showcased his talent and potential by securing victories at prestigious tournaments such as the Monroe Invitational and the Northeast Amateur in 2007. He also played pivotal roles in the winning teams at both the Walker Cup and Palmer Cup that same year.
2007: Dustin Johnson Turns Professional
In late 2007, Dustin Johnson made the transition to professional golf, marking the beginning of his journey in the competitive world of professional golf.
October 2008: Dustin Johnson Wins First PGA Tour Event
In October 2008, Dustin Johnson celebrated a significant career milestone by clinching his first-ever PGA Tour victory at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in upstate New York. This win marked his breakthrough moment on the tour, establishing him as a rising star in professional golf.
2008: Dustin Johnson Earns PGA Tour Card
Dustin Johnson secured his PGA Tour card in 2008 after delivering a commendable performance at the 2007 qualifying school, finishing tied for 14th place. This achievement granted him entry into the prestigious PGA Tour, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2008: Dustin Johnson Consistently Ranked Among Top Drivers
From 2008 onward, Dustin Johnson consistently ranked among the top 10 players on the PGA Tour in terms of driving distance, showcasing his exceptional power and accuracy off the tee.
2009: Dustin Johnson's Consecutive Eagles at the Masters
During the 2009 Masters Tournament, Dustin Johnson achieved a rare feat by becoming only the second golfer in Masters history to score eagles on consecutive holes. His remarkable performance, which included an eagle putt on the 13th hole followed by a holed-out shot from 173 yards on the 14th, showcased his exceptional skill and composure on one of golf's biggest stages.
2009: Johnson and Gretzky's First Meeting
Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky first crossed paths in 2009, marking the beginning of their relationship journey.
2009: Dustin Johnson's History of 54-Hole Tournament Wins
Dustin Johnson's victory at the 2011 Barclays added to his history of success in 54-hole tournaments, with his first such win coming at the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
2009: Positive Drug Test (Marijuana)
In 2009, Dustin Johnson tested positive for marijuana, marking his first publicly known positive drug test.
February 2010: Dustin Johnson Defends AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Title
In February 2010, Dustin Johnson successfully defended his title at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and secure back-to-back victories in a prestigious tournament.
2010: Dustin Johnson's Consistent Presence in Final Groups
The 2011 Open Championship marked the third time Dustin Johnson had been part of the final group on Sunday at a major championship, following the 2010 U.S. Open and the 2010 PGA Championship, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments.
2010: Dustin Johnson's FedEx Cup Playoff Success
Dustin Johnson's win at the 2011 Barclays added to his success in FedEx Cup playoff events, with his first such win coming at the BMW Championship in 2010.
2010: Dustin Johnson's Penalty at the PGA Championship
Dustin Johnson was in contention at the 2010 PGA Championship, holding a one-shot lead going into the final hole. However, he incurred a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker, resulting in a tie for fifth place instead of a potential playoff spot.
2010: Dustin Johnson's U.S. Open Performance
Dustin Johnson held a promising lead at the 2010 U.S. Open after shooting impressive rounds of 71-70-66, putting him three strokes ahead of Graeme McDowell. However, he faced setbacks in the final round, ultimately finishing tied for eighth place.
March 2011: Dustin Johnson Finishes Second at WGC-Cadillac Championship
Despite holding a two-stroke lead going into the final round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March 2011, Dustin Johnson finished as the runner-up to Nick Watney.
2011: Dustin Johnson Ties for Second at the Open Championship
Dustin Johnson achieved a commendable tie for second place at the 2011 Open Championship. This marked one of his closest calls in a major championship before his eventual victories.
2011: Dustin Johnson's Strong Performance at the Open Championship
Dustin Johnson achieved his best-ever finish in a major championship at the 2011 Open Championship, tying for second place alongside Phil Mickelson. His performance, which included a hole-in-one on the 16th hole in the first round, propelled him to seventh place in the Official World Golf Ranking.
2011: Dustin Johnson Wins The Barclays
Dustin Johnson secured his fifth PGA Tour victory at The Barclays in 2011, beating Matt Kuchar by two strokes in the first event of the FedEx Cup playoffs. This win marked his second victory in a 54-hole tournament and his second FedEx Cup playoff event win.
2012: Dustin Johnson's Back Injury and Return
Dustin Johnson faced a setback in 2012 due to a back injury, causing him to miss over two months of the season, including The Masters. He returned to competition in May at the Memorial Tournament and won his sixth tour event, the FedEx St. Jude Classic, the following week.
2012: Positive Drug Test (Cocaine)
Dustin Johnson tested positive for cocaine in 2012. This marked his second known positive drug test.
August 2013: Johnson and Gretzky's Engagement
Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky announced their engagement in August 2013, solidifying their relationship after several years of dating.
2013: Dustin Johnson Wins Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Dustin Johnson kicked off his 2013 season with a win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, a tournament for past season winners. This seventh PGA Tour win and his third in a 54-hole event further solidified his status as a top player.
2013: WGC-HSBC Champions Victory
Dustin Johnson won the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in 2013.
July 31, 2014: Johnson Takes Leave of Absence
On July 31, 2014, Dustin Johnson announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from professional golf to address personal challenges.
2015: Dustin Johnson Leads PGA Tour in Driving Distance
Dustin Johnson's exceptional driving abilities were on full display in 2015 when he topped the PGA Tour in driving distance, solidifying his reputation as one of the most powerful hitters in the game.
2015: Heartbreaking Loss at the U.S. Open
In 2015, Dustin Johnson was in contention to win the U.S. Open. He entered the final round with a share of the lead and maintained a strong position throughout the day. However, on the 18th hole, Johnson missed a critical putt that would have secured his victory, ultimately losing to Jordan Spieth.
2015: Jordan Spieth Matches Tiger Woods' Masters Record
In 2015, Jordan Spieth matched Tiger Woods's long-standing scoring record at the Masters Tournament, showcasing his exceptional skill on the course.
2015: WGC-Cadillac Championship Victory
Dustin Johnson secured victory at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in 2015.
2015: Disappointing Finish at The Open Championship
Dustin Johnson led the 2015 Open Championship after the first 36 holes, putting him in a strong position to win. However, he struggled in the later rounds, shooting two rounds of 75, and ultimately fell out of contention. Zach Johnson won the tournament in a playoff.
2015: Dustin Johnson Ties for Second at the U.S. Open
Dustin Johnson narrowly missed out on the U.S. Open title in 2015, finishing in a tie for second place. This marked his second close call at this particular major championship.
June 19, 2016: First Major Win at the U.S. Open
Dustin Johnson achieved a significant milestone on June 19, 2016, by winning his first major title at the U.S. Open. However, the victory was marked by controversy due to a penalty he received for his ball moving on the fifth green. Despite the controversy, Johnson's win propelled him to number three in the Official World Golf Ranking.
July 9, 2016: Withdrawal from the 2016 Summer Olympics
On July 9, 2016, Dustin Johnson announced that he would not be participating in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro due to concerns over the Zika virus.
September 11, 2016: Victory at the BMW Championship
Dustin Johnson won the BMW Championship on September 11, 2016, marking his third tournament victory of the year.
2016: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Victory
Dustin Johnson won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2016.
2016: Dustin Johnson Wins the U.S. Open
In 2016, Dustin Johnson won his first major championship at the U.S. Open held at Oakmont Country Club. He achieved victory with an impressive 4-under-par score of 276.
February 2017: Dustin Johnson Becomes World Number One Golfer
In a significant career milestone, Dustin Johnson ascended to the coveted position of world number one golfer in February 2017. He maintained this top ranking for an impressive 64 consecutive weeks, marking the fifth-longest streak in history.
2017: Withdrawal from the Masters Tournament
Dustin Johnson was forced to withdraw from the Masters Tournament in 2017 due to a back injury he sustained from a fall at his rental home in Augusta.
2017: Dominating Wins at WGC Events
In 2017, Dustin Johnson achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first golfer to win all four World Golf Championships (WGC) events. He won the WGC-Mexico Championship and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, marking his third consecutive tour victory in just seven starts that year.
June 2018: Strong Showing at the U.S. Open
Dustin Johnson was in contention to win the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, holding the lead after the first two rounds. However, a challenging third round dropped him back, and he ultimately finished in third place.
July 2018: Victory at the RBC Canadian Open
Dustin Johnson secured his third victory of the 2018 season by winning the RBC Canadian Open, finishing three strokes ahead of An Byeong-hun and Kim Meen-whee.
September 30, 2018: Alleged Disagreement with Brooks Koepka
Following the U.S. team's loss at the 2018 Ryder Cup, there were allegations of a disagreement between Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, reportedly requiring their separation.
2018: Dustin Johnson Regains World Number One Ranking
Dustin Johnson reclaimed his position as the world number one golfer in 2018, highlighting his consistent dominance in the sport.
February 2019: Inaugural Saudi International Win and Sixth European Tour Title
Dustin Johnson started 2019 by winning the inaugural Saudi International tournament on the European Tour. This victory was notable because it was Johnson's first regular European Tour win outside of majors and WGC events. Later that month, Johnson secured his 20th career PGA Tour win by winning the WGC-Mexico Championship for the third time, earning him a lifetime exemption on the PGA Tour.
April 2019: Second Place Finish at the Masters
Dustin Johnson finished in second place at the Masters Tournament in April 2019, just one stroke behind Tiger Woods.
December 2019: U.S. Team Victory at the Presidents Cup
Dustin Johnson played a role in the U.S. team's victory at the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia.
2019: Dustin Johnson Maintains World Number One Ranking
Dustin Johnson continued his reign as the world number one golfer in 2019, demonstrating his sustained excellence and solidifying his status as one of the sport's most formidable players.
2020: Withdrawal from the 2020 Summer Olympics
Dustin Johnson announced that he would not be participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo due to scheduling conflicts.
2020: Dustin Johnson Wins the Masters Tournament
Dustin Johnson emerged victorious at the 2020 Masters Tournament, securing his second major championship win. He set a new record score of 268, an astounding 20-under-par.
2020: Dustin Johnson Wins the Travelers Championship
Dustin Johnson's victory at the 2020 Travelers Championship solidified his place in PGA Tour history. This win made him the third player ever to secure a Tour title in each of his first 13 seasons, joining the ranks of golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
2020: Dustin Johnson Holds World Number One Ranking
In 2020, Dustin Johnson retained his position as the world number one golfer, further solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in the sport.
2020: Johnson's Strong Performance in the 2020 PGA Championship and The Northern Trust
In 2020, Dustin Johnson showcased his golfing prowess with a notable performance in the PGA Championship, securing a tie for second place. He followed this with a remarkable win at The Northern Trust, achieving a career-low round and climbing to the top of the FedEx Cup standings.
2020: Johnson's Victory in the Tour Championship and PGA Tour Player of the Year Award
In 2020, Dustin Johnson won the Tour Championship, earning him the coveted FedEx Cup and a $15 million prize. His exceptional performance throughout the year led to him being named PGA Tour Player of the Year for the second time.
September 2021: Johnson's Dominant Ryder Cup Performance
In September 2021, Dustin Johnson played an instrumental role in the U.S. team's Ryder Cup victory, achieving an undefeated record and earning the inaugural Nicklaus-Jacklin Award for his sportsmanship and performance.
2021: Dustin Johnson's Continued Dominance as World Number One
Dustin Johnson's reign as world number one golfer extended into 2021, showcasing his exceptional skill, consistency, and ability to outperform the competition at the highest level.
April 23, 2022: Johnson and Gretzky's Wedding
Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky, after a long-term relationship and engagement, celebrated their wedding on April 23, 2022, marking a significant personal milestone.
June 2022: Dustin Johnson Resigns from PGA Tour
In June 2022, Dustin Johnson made a significant career decision by resigning from the PGA Tour.
June 2022: Johnson's Move to LIV Golf and PGA Tour Resignation
In June 2022, Dustin Johnson made the significant decision to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series, leading to his resignation from the PGA Tour and ineligibility for tour events, including the Presidents Cup.
2022: Johnson's Mixed Results in Early 2022 Tournaments
Dustin Johnson experienced a mix of results in early 2022 tournaments, including a top-10 finish at The Players Championship but also missed cuts at the Genesis Invitational and PGA Championship.
2022: Dustin Johnson Joins LIV Golf
In 2022, Dustin Johnson made a significant career move by joining the LIV Golf League.
February 15, 2023: Johnson Featured in Full Swing Documentary, Philanthropic Work with Dustin Johnson Foundation
Dustin Johnson was featured in the Netflix documentary series Full Swing, providing insights into his life and career. He is also actively involved in philanthropy through the Dustin Johnson Foundation, supporting youth development through sports.