Dustin Johnson

Height: 6 ft 4 in

Born: June 22, 1984

College: Coastal Carolina University

Year Turned Pro: 2007

Birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina

Sponsor: Taylor Made

Tiger Woods is credited with helping people realize golfers are great athletes. Dustin Johnson, with his 6 foot 4 frame and ability to dunk two basketballs in one leap, is the latest example in how people are beginning to see golfers in a new light.

After turning pro in 2007, Dustin Johnson became the first player since Tiger Woods to win at least one tournament in each of his first seven seasons on tour.

Johnson secured is PGA Tour card by finishing in a tie for 14th place at the year-end 2007 PGA qualifying school tournament. Johnson won his first tournament in the fall of 2008 at the Turning Stone Resort Championship.

Johnson won back to back AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Championship in 2009 and 2010. In June of 2010, Johnson was back at Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open Championship. He took a 3 shot lead into the final round but struggled to an 82 and finished in a tie for 8th place.

Later in 2010, Johnson made another serious run at a Major championship in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin. Johnson had a 1 shot lead going to the tournament’s final hole. Johnson incurred a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in what was ruled a bunker and missed out on a playoff before finishing in 5th place.

In 2011, Johnson was in contention at the Open Championship before hitting a ball out of bounds and making a double bogey on the 14th hole. He would go on to lose to eventual champion Darren Clarke.

In July 2014, Johnson took a six-month leave of absence from the tour to deal with personal problems. Rumors swirled as to the reason for Johnson’s leave.

Johnson came back with renewed fervor in 2015. By then, he was engaged to Paulina Gretzky and the father of a little boy. He won the WGC event at Doral and in June of 2015 made another serious run at a Major only to come up short again.

Johnson was down one shot before going to Chamber’s Bay 18th hole. After two great shots he found himself with a 12-foot eagle putt to win the championship. Johnson ran the eagle putt 4 feet past the hole. His birdie putt, which would have forced an 18 hole playoff the next day with Jordan Spieth, caught the left edge of the cup but missed and Johnson finished in a tie for 2nd place.