Dustin Johnson Defeats Cameron Smith And Branden Grace In LIV Golf Tulsa Playoff
Johnson overcame a triple bogey midway through his round to pick up a second LIV Golf title


Last year, Dustin Johnson secured over $35 million for his efforts on the LIV Golf circuit, with the American perhaps not starting as strongly in 2023. However, at Cedar Ridge Country Club, the two-time Major winner seemed to have found his form once again, as DJ defeated Cameron Smith and Branden Grace in a playoff to scoop a second LIV Golf title and the $4 million first prize.
The weather had caused havoc a few times in Tulsa and, midway through the final round, it hit once again as inclement weather forced players off the course and into the protection of the clubhouse. At the time, Johnson was top of the pylon, with a three-shot lead comfortably keeping him ahead.
A post shared by LIV Golf (@livgolf_league)
A photo posted by on
However, despite all of his experience, the 38-year-old got out of the gates slowly as play returned mid-afternoon, so much so, that Johnson made a triple bogey at the 10th to allow a number of huge names back into contention.
Amongst them was Champion Golfer of the Year, Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Harold Varner III who, at one point, was on for a 59 as he decimated the front nine in Tulsa.
Johnson though recovered well and, following a birdie at the 11th, he produced yet more clutch shots going down the final six holes, with birdies at the 14th and 18th scraping him into a playoff with Smith and Grace, who had finished their rounds just a few minutes earlier. It's also worth noting that Smith's round tied the lowest round in LIV Golf history, as nine birdies and nine pars led to a 61.
Stinger GC celebrate their victory in the team standings
To win then, Johnson would need to replicate his victory in Boston last year and try and overcome a three-man playoff. At the first playoff hole, he did just that, as his birdie putt never left the cup and dropped for a second LIV Golf title. After the round, the American admitted that: “Next time I’d like to win without going into a playoff. It would be a lot less stressful!”
It wasn't just the individual standings where we saw some excitement though, as Stinger GC picked up the team event title for the first time since LIV's inaugural event at Centurion last season.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Once again, it was a tight affair, with five teams finishing within six shots of the South African quartet but, after Grace holed the key putt on the 18th, the Stinger GC side just pipped Johnson's 4 Aces by one stroke, with the Range Goats GC rounding out the final podium spot.

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Earns At The RBC Heritage
The latest of the PGA Tour’s signature events offers a huge prize for the winner, and the caddie alongside the champion is due for a big payday too
By Mike Hall
-
How Far Does The Average Amateur Golfer Hit Their 4-Iron?
The 4-iron is a versatile ally to amateur golfers, helping to escape trouble and eat up distance, but how far does the average golfer hit this useful club?
By Barry Plummer
-
Rory McIlroy's Sports Psychologist Explains Why He 'Didn't Talk' To Bryson DeChambeau In Masters Final Round
DeChambeau raised eyebrows at Augusta National when claiming that McIlroy wouldn't engage in conversation during the final round of The Masters
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Emotional Bryson DeChambeau Recreates 'The Shot Of My Life' At Pinehurst No.2 As Plaque Unveiled Day After Masters Charge Fizzles Out
The 2024 US Open champion travelled over to North Carolina a day after watching Rory McIlroy win The Masters to recreate the shot which helped the American down the Northern Irishman at Pinehurst last summer
By Jonny Leighfield
-
'He Wouldn't Talk To Me' - Bryson DeChambeau Reveals Rory McIlroy Dynamic During The Masters Final Round
After a disappointing Sunday at The Masters, DeChambeau shared that McIlroy was so focused en route to victory that the pair barely exchanged words all day
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Brooks Koepka Confirms Driver Switch Ahead Of The Masters
The five-time Major winner heads in to Augusta National as one of the favorites, but revealed he had changed his driver following LIV Golf Miami last week
By Matt Cradock
-
'I'm Working Hard To Figure It Out' - Bryson DeChambeau Reveals New 'Prototype' Golf Balls Are In The Works
After changing his golf ball at the start of 2025, DeChambeau revealed in Miami that there are some new prototype models currently being worked on
By Matt Cradock
-
Koepka Reveals Which Two PGA Tour Events He’d Be ‘Open’ To Playing In Again
Although there's no sign of it happening anytime soon, Brooks Koepka has named the two tournaments he'd like to play in if allowed back on the PGA Tour
By Paul Higham
-
'I Think We All Hoped It Would Have Been A Little Further Long, And That's No Secret' - Brooks Koepka's Echoes Recent Tough Love Towards LIV Golf
The five-time Major champion said progress is being made with the PIF-backed circuit after stating it was "quite far behind" its rivals on The Joe Pomp Show
By Jonny Leighfield
-
'He's Woefully Off His Game This Year' - Brandel Chamblee Labels Bryson DeChambeau 'Too Linear' To Enjoy Success At 'Abstract' Augusta National
Quizzed over the LIV golfer's prospects at The Masters in 2025 following a strong performance last term, Chamblee was not overly optimistic...
By Jonny Leighfield