Dustin Johnson makes history with win at WGC Dell Match Play

Dustin Johnson wins WGC Dell Match Play, making history in the process

Dustin Johnson cemented his name in the record books with a dramatic 1up victory over Jon Rahm in the Championship match of the WGC Dell Match Play.

The World No.1 remained dominant all week over his opposition, and his win confirms him as the first player in history to win all four WGC titles. His total count is five, and although Tiger Woods has the most victories with 18 wins in WGC competition, he has not managed to win all four.

It was the second time this year that Rahm and DJ have been in the running for the top spot in a WGC tournament, and it turned out to be a thrilling contest between two of the biggest hitters in the game.

Although Rahm briefly led at the WGC Mexico, Dustin Johnson was the winner there too – and this time held the advantage for the majority of the match on his way to back-to-back WGC titles.

It looked very likely the match would be one-sided as errant tee shots and missed putts early on left Rahm five down after eight holes, but the 22-year-old soon began to regain his composure. The Spaniard fought back with wins on the 9th, 10th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes, pushing the World No.1 all the way the 18th.

Throughout the tournament Johnson saw off several major champions including Martin Kaymer, Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson on his way to his third successive PGA Tour victory in a row – but it was only in his final two matches against Rahm and Hideto Tanihara that he reached the 18th hole.

“This was a tough one, a tough match today against Jon.” Dustin Johnson said after his win. “I didn’t really give him anything, I three-putted 10 but I didn’t really give him anything.”

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in my game. I’m driving the ball great, I’m wedging it well. I can work on the mid-irons a bit but we’ll work on that this week.”

It wasn’t the win he was hoping for, but PGA Tour rookie Rahm certainly made another huge mark on the world stage. A win would have taken him inside the World’s Top 10, which would have been the fastest move in to that position since Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.

“There’s a lot of positives to take out of this week,” Rahm said. “I am really proud of what I did especially all those up and downs on the back nine. I’ll be sad for a couple of minutes but after I’ll be happy and thrilled – it’s early in the season.”

In the third and fourth place deciding match Bill Haas defeated Hideto Tanihara 2&1 –  but there was a secondary consolation for the Japanese golfer.

Along with Ross Fisher, Tanihara’s performance at the WGC Dell Match Play guaranteed his place in the Top 50 and a last-minute qualification for The Masters in under two weeks time.