Dustin Johnson came from two shots behind at the start of the final round to win the 2020 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut carrying a full bag of TaylorMade equipment, including TP5x golf ball. It was the maiden PGA TOUR victory for SIM Driver and Truss putter.
It was a unique setup for DJ, as he carried two SIM Rescues throughout the week. These clubs are generally reserved for those of us who need to boost or supplement long iron play.
However, that’s not an issue for DJ. He’s easily one of the game’s longest hitters (currently ranked 22nd in driver distance on the Tour at 306.9 yards) and most skilled ball strikers.
So why would DJ need two Rescues?
He came to the TaylorMade team the week prior at Hilton Head in search of clubs he could carry two exact distances – 245 yards and 265 yards. It was a strategy for the upcoming pair of events, both Harbour Town Golf Links and TPC River Highlands are exacting golf courses that have precise landing areas off the tee.
The strategy was key to his victory, with Rescues off the tee at Nos. 9 and 10 in the final round leading to consecutive birdies.
His Truss putter also proved to be a major factor all week. During the 3rd round, he turned in a career-low 61 (9-under-par) and reached +1.498 Strokes Gained Putting on the field for the week.
“Dustin went with a Truss TB1 Blade this week after some extensive testing. We adjusted the loft, lie and swing weight until it looked and felt perfect to him. We also had a new SIM Max Rescue built at 19°.
The one from he had was at 20° and flying 257. We needed it to go 265 in the air, so we built it out at 19° and he was easily hitting it 265-plus.”
Adrian Rietveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Tour Manager
The putter stayed hot in the final round, starting with a clutch roll to save par at the second hole. He then rattled off back-to-back birds at Nos. 4 and 5 to tie for the lead. He’d later drain a 27-foot sidewinder at the 204-yard eighth to bounce back from a bogey.
Johnson lived up to his unflappable reputation, remaining composed when his ball came to rest just out of bounds at the par-5 13th. He’d be tested again on the drivable par-4 15thwhen his ball settled less than a foot from the water. With his golfer’s tan on full display, Johnson scrambled to save par after a classy pitch shot using his Milled Grind Wedge (60°).
Following a 30-minute weather delay, Johnson came back to finish the final three holes and finish off his 21st PGA TOUR victory. He capped the day with a 351-yard drive off his SIM Driver at the 18th hole (the longest in the field for the day). It also marked the 13th consecutive season with a win Johnson, placing him 4th all-time on that list, and propelled him inside the top 5 of the Official World Golf Rankings.
NEED TO KNOW
- DJ maintains his streak of having won in each of the last 13 seasons on PGA TOUR since turning pro
- Maiden victory on the PGA TOUR for SIM Driver and Truss putter
- This was the first week DJ had used Truss TB1
- DJ gained +1.532 strokes in Putting this week at Travelers Championship
- Dustin climbs back inside the OWGR Top 5
- DJ now ties Tiger Woods for the most number of PGA TOUR wins (21) since 2008
Shop the full 2020 TaylorMade Golf Equipment range today at Golfgeardirect.co.uk
Golf Gear Direct Blog 