Date: July 21, 2008
Author:

Johnson leaves it late

Richard Johnson recorded eight birdies, including one on the 18th hole to win the US Bank Championship on Sunday. Australian pair Gavin Coles and Nick Flanagan, who were tied for the 54-hole lead, each shot even-par 70 and finished tied for 11th at 11-under 269. Compatriot Brett Rumford closed with a five-under-par round of 65 to soar into a tie for 28th. But it was Johnson, who carded a six-under-par 64 to finish at 16-under 264, the man at the head of the leaderboard by one stroke from Ken Duke. Dean Wilson, Chad Campbell and Chris Riley tied for third at 13-under 267. Johnson, who had missed the cut in eight of his 11 starts this season, started with a birdie before bogeying two of the next three holes. He rebounded with two birdies on the front nine and added five more coming in to record his first PGA Tour title. Johnson&aposs best finish before Sunday was a tie for 37th at the St Jude Championship in June. He is the seventh first-time winner on the PGA Tour this season. “It&aposs unbelievable, I&aposm very pleased,” Johnson said. “I&aposve worked very hard this year and I&aposm glad that it has paid off.”