When Dustin Johnson stepped up to the first tee at Augusta National yesterday, he was 16 under par, four strokes in front, and a cinch to win the delayed Masters. Four holes later, after he made one birdie and two bogeys, added to a pair of birdies canned by Cameron Smith, the lead had slipped to one and the issue was suddenly in doubt.

    But Smith took a bogey on five, Dustin made five birdies down the road without another bogey, and it again became no contest. Dustin shot a Masters record 20 under par and went home with a green jacket, a check for $2,070,000, a myriad of hugs from Paulina, and further proof of his current domination of the world of golf.

    Smith wound up tied for second with Sungjae Im at 15 under, each taking home $1,012,000, and Justin Thomas was alone in fourth at 12 under, collecting $552,000. 

    The lone Gator, Billy Horschel, tied for 38th at 1 under and earned $50,600, along with Tiger Woods, who took a disastrous water-logged 10 on the par-3 12th, before making birdies on 13, and 15 through 18 to finish with 76. Seminole Brooks Koepka tied for seventh at 10 under and put $358,417 in the bank. 

    Four of the nine seniors made the cut, led by Bernhard Langer's tie for 29th ($74,750). Lee Westwood tied for 37th ($50,600), and Mike Weir and Phil Mickelson were among those in a deadlock for 55th ($26,680). 

    There will be a much watered-down field for the $6.6 million RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia this week, a field that includes Ted Potter. Ted has missed the cut in the four events he has played in the new season even though he shot under par in two of them. He has only broken 70 twice in eight rounds. In this event last year, he shot 74-78. Tyler Duncan is the defending champ after he took home $1,188,000 last year.  

    Also in the RSM are Gators Brian Gay, Matt Every and Camilo Villegas, and Seminole Hank Lebioda. 

    

    

      

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