Masters records, emerging talent and the LPGA Tour's return feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points this week:

<h2>- Top rank, major hindrance -</h2>

Dustin Johnson secured his second major with a record-breaking 20-under-par total at the Masters, also breaking a cursed run for world number ones in majors.

Incredibly, Johnson was the first world number one to win any major since Rory McIlroy's victory at the US PGA Championship in 2014.

He was also the first player who was top of the rankings to win the Masters since Tiger Woods in 2002.&nbsp;

In fact, down the years being world number one has been almost a disadvantage in majors.

Johnson is only the fifth player since the world rankings began in 1986 to win a major while on top, joining Ian Woosnam, Fred Couples, Woods and McIlroy.

But while Woods managed it as number one for 11 of his 15 major victories, the others have only done it once each.&nbsp;

That means just 15 majors out of 139 since the rankings began have seen the world number one lift the trophy. And just four out of 128 if your name doesn't happen to be Tiger Woods.

<h2>- Im makes Asian history -</h2>

Im Sung-jae at just 22 years old crowned a remarkable debut at Augusta National with Asia's best finish in the US Masters, as the South Korean finished joint runner-up alongside Australia's Cameron Smith.&nbsp;

Im, the 2019 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, eclipsed countryman KJ Choi's third place in 2004 after closing&nbsp;with a final round of three-under-par 69 to finish 15-under, five strokes behind winner Dustin Johnson.

Im, who won The Honda Classic for his first PGA Tour victory in March, now has his sights set on becoming Asia's second major winner, after South Korea's YE Yang who lifted the US PGA Championship in 2009. Yang's best finish in the Masters was tied eighth in 2010.&nbsp;

"Finishing tied for second is unbelievable, and I'm proud of my game," said Im, who has broken into the world's top 20 for the first time.

He also joined some illustrious company in becoming the third-youngest player in history, after Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods, to finish in the top five at the Masters.

<h2>- LPGA back to the future -</h2>

If you thought that was it for majors in 2020 once Johnson had slipped on his green jacket, then think again. The Women's US Open is still to come on December 10 at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

Ahead of that the US LPGA Tour swings back into action this week after a break of almost a month with the inaugural Pelican Championship at Belleair in Tampa, Florida, marking a return to the area where the elite women's tour all began 70 years ago.

The first ever LPGA event was played in Tampa in January 1950, but the tour hasn't been back since the St. Petersburg Women's Open was played there in 1989.

On its return to its birthplace, world number one Ko Jin-young will finally be making her 2020 LPGA debut in a Covid-wracked year, having chosen to remain in South Korea and play the domestic KLPGA Tour during the pandemic.

Ko will be welcomed back by a field that is one of the year's strongest outside a major with other top 10 stars Kim Sei-young, Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Nasa Hataoka, Brooke Henderson, Minjee Lee and Park Sung-hyun all teeing up.

<h2>- World rankings -</h2>

Top 10s, week beginning November 16, 2020:

Men

1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 12.76&nbsp;

2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 10.29&nbsp;

3. Justin Thomas (USA) 9.48&nbsp;

4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 7.53 (+1)&nbsp;

5. Collin Morikawa (USA) 7.42 (-1)

6. Webb Simpson (USA) 7.31 (+1)

7. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 7.28 (-1)&nbsp;

8. Xander Schauffele (USA) 7.16&nbsp;

9. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 6.36 (+1)&nbsp;

10. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 6.22 (-1)

Selected:&nbsp;

18. Im Sung-jae (KOR) 4.44 (+7)

27. Cameron Smith (AUS) 3.43 (+18)&nbsp;

Women

1. Ko Jin-young&nbsp;&nbsp;(KOR) 7.90&nbsp;

2. Kim Sei-young (KOR) 6.87&nbsp;

3. Nelly Korda (USA) 6.59&nbsp;

4. Danielle Kang (USA) 6.40&nbsp;

5. Park In-bee (KOR) 6.18

6. Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 5.80&nbsp;

7. Brooke Henderson (CAN) 5.77&nbsp;

8. Minjee Lee (AUS) 5.28&nbsp;

9. Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 5.23&nbsp;

10. Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 4.90

Masters records, emerging talent and the LPGA Tour's return feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points this week: - Top rank, major hindrance - Dustin Johnson secured his second major with a record-breaking 20-under-par total at the Masters, also breaking a cursed run for world number ones in majors.

Masters records, emerging talent and the LPGA Tour's return feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points this week: - Top rank, major hindrance - Dustin Johnson secured his second major with a record-breaking 20-under-par total at the Masters, also breaking a cursed run for world number ones in majors. Incredibly, Johnson was the first world number one to win any major since Rory McIlroy's victory at the US PGA Championship in 2014. He was also the first player who was top of the rankings to win the Masters since Tiger Woods in 2002. In fact, down the years being world number one has been almost a disadvantage in majors. Johnson is only the fifth player since the world rankings began in 1986 to win a major while on top, joining Ian Woosnam, Fred Couples, Woods and McIlroy. But while Woods managed it as number one for 11 of his 15 major victories, the others have only done it once each. That means just 15 majors out of 139 since the rankings began have seen the world number one lift the trophy. And just four out of 128 if your name doesn't happen to be Tiger Woods. - Im makes Asian history - Im Sung-jae at just 22 years old crowned a remarkable debut at Augusta National with Asia's best finish in the US Masters, as the South Korean finished joint runner-up alongside Australia's Cameron Smith. Im, the 2019 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, eclipsed countryman KJ Choi's third place in 2004 after closing with a final round of three-under-par 69 to finish 15-under, five strokes behind winner Dustin Johnson. Im, who won The Honda Classic for his first PGA Tour victory in March, now has his sights set on becoming Asia's second major winner, after South Korea's YE Yang who lifted the US PGA Championship in 2009. Yang's best finish in the Masters was tied eighth in 2010. "Finishing tied for second is unbelievable, and I'm proud of my game," said Im, who has broken into the world's top 20 for the first time. He also joined some illustrious company in becoming the third-youngest player in history, after Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods, to finish in the top five at the Masters. - LPGA back to the future - If you thought that was it for majors in 2020 once Johnson had slipped on his green jacket, then think again. The Women's US Open is still to come on December 10 at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. Ahead of that the US LPGA Tour swings back into action this week after a break of almost a month with the inaugural Pelican Championship at Belleair in Tampa, Florida, marking a return to the area where the elite women's tour all began 70 years ago. The first ever LPGA event was played in Tampa in January 1950, but the tour hasn't been back since the St. Petersburg Women's Open was played there in 1989. On its return to its birthplace, world number one Ko Jin-young will finally be making her 2020 LPGA debut in a Covid-wracked year, having chosen to remain in South Korea and play the domestic KLPGA Tour during the pandemic. Ko will be welcomed back by a field that is one of the year's strongest outside a major with other top 10 stars Kim Sei-young, Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Nasa Hataoka, Brooke Henderson, Minjee Lee and Park Sung-hyun all teeing up. - World rankings - Top 10s, week beginning November 16, 2020: Men 1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 12.76 2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 10.29 3. Justin Thomas (USA) 9.48 4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 7.53 (+1) 5. Collin Morikawa (USA) 7.42 (-1) 6. Webb Simpson (USA) 7.31 (+1) 7. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 7.28 (-1) 8. Xander Schauffele (USA) 7.16 9. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 6.36 (+1) 10. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 6.22 (-1) Selected: 18. Im Sung-jae (KOR) 4.44 (+7) 27. Cameron Smith (AUS) 3.43 (+18) Women 1. Ko Jin-young (KOR) 7.90 2. Kim Sei-young (KOR) 6.87 3. Nelly Korda (USA) 6.59 4. Danielle Kang (USA) 6.40 5. Park In-bee (KOR) 6.18 6. Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 5.80 7. Brooke Henderson (CAN) 5.77 8. Minjee Lee (AUS) 5.28 9. Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 5.23 10. Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 4.90

Johnson breaks a curse, Im on the rise: golf talking points

Top-ranked Dustin Johnson won the Masters in record-smashing fashion on Sunday, capturing his second major title with the lowest total score in Augusta National history.

The 36-year-old American, known for keeping his cool on the course, was in tears after winning the green jacket only an hour's drive from where he grew up.

"It's a dream come true," a crying Johnson said. "As a kid I always wanted to become a Masters champion. It's just incredible.

"I never have this much trouble gathering myself. On the golf course I'm good at it."

No one in Masters history was better as Johnson, whose other major victory came at the 2016 US Open, fired a four-under-par 68 to finish on a Masters record 20-under-par 268.

That was good enough for a five-stroke triumph over South Korean Im Sung-jae and Australian Cameron Smith with third-ranked American Justin Thomas fourth on 276.

Johnson's score in relation to par matched the lowest in major history and smashed the old 72-hole Masters mark of 18-under 270 set by Woods in 1997 and matched by Jordan Spieth in 2015.

It was an incredible turnaround for a player who missed his planned Masters tuneups after contracting Covid-19 last month, returning only last week with a runner-up effort in Houston.

Johnson, who began with a four-shot edge, had never converted a 54-hole major lead into a title, stumbling at the 2010, 2015 and 2018 US Opens and in August's PGA Championship, where he settled for a runner-up spot.

That hex ended Sunday, but not without some early drama as Johnson's lead fell to one.

Johnson made back-to-back bogeys at the fifth and par-3 sixth, ending a run of 33 bogey-free holes, to leave Im one back.

"They weren't bad shots," Johnson said. "I didn't let it bother me too much. At six I made a birdie and that got me back."

Im fell back with bogeys at six and seven, Johnson also birdied the par-5 eighth and never looked back.

"I was nervous all day," Johnson said. "I could feel it. The Masters to me was the biggest. It still feels like a dream. I'm proud of the way I handled myself and finished off the golf tournament."

Johnson, the first reigning world number one to grab the green jacket since Tiger Woods in 2002, was denied the usual champion's roars from spectators as no fans were allowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic that postponed the event from its usual April slot.

<h2>- 'Amazing ability' -</h2>

After overcoming his early wobble, Johnson was unflappable&nbsp;with deadly accuracy and consistency, his birdie streak from 13 through 15 lifting his week to historic status.

"DJ has just an amazing ability to stay calm in tough moments," Woods said. There's no one more suited to that, I think, than DJ."

Johnson's four total bogeys were the fewest of any Masters champion.

Im had the lowest score for any Masters newcomer but couldn't become the first debut winner since 1979.

"My goal was to make the cut," Im said through a translator. "To finish tied for second is unbelievable."

Smith closed on 69, becoming the first Masters player to shoot all four rounds in the 60s.

"That's cool," he said. "A lot of good around here this week."

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, needing a green jacket to complete a career Grand Slam,&nbsp;shot 69 to share fifth on 277 but never threatened Johnson.

<h2>- Woods horror show -</h2>

McIlroy, unable to recover from a first-round 75, took some solace after a sixth failed attempt to complete the career Slam.

"I didn't have a great start but over the last 54 holes, only two bogeys, a lot of great golf in there," McIlroy said. "Not overthinking it as much could be the key for me."

Woods, a five-time Masters winner and 15-time major champion, found Rae's Creek three times on his way to a septuple-bogey 10 at the par-3 12th, his worst score ever on a major hole. He responded with birdies on five of the last six holes to close on 76 and finish on 287.

"Hit a few too many shots than I wanted," Woods said. "Had a lot more experiences there in Rae's Creek."

Germany's Bernhard Langer, at 63 the oldest to make any Masters cut, shot 71 to finish on 285, one stroke better than US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who closed on 73 and never threatened to overpower Augusta, nagged by dizziness.

"I've got to fix this dizziness," he said. "I've got to get healthy first and foremost."

Top-ranked Dustin Johnson won the Masters in record-smashing fashion on Sunday, capturing his second major title with the lowest total score in Augusta National history.

Top-ranked Dustin Johnson won the Masters in record-smashing fashion on Sunday, capturing his second major title with the lowest total score in Augusta National history. The 36-year-old American, known for keeping his cool on the course, was in tears after winning the green jacket only an hour's drive from where he grew up. "It's a dream come true," a crying Johnson said. "As a kid I always wanted to become a Masters champion. It's just incredible. "I never have this much trouble gathering myself. On the golf course I'm good at it." No one in Masters history was better as Johnson, whose other major victory came at the 2016 US Open, fired a four-under-par 68 to finish on a Masters record 20-under-par 268. That was good enough for a five-stroke triumph over South Korean Im Sung-jae and Australian Cameron Smith with third-ranked American Justin Thomas fourth on 276. Johnson's score in relation to par matched the lowest in major history and smashed the old 72-hole Masters mark of 18-under 270 set by Woods in 1997 and matched by Jordan Spieth in 2015. It was an incredible turnaround for a player who missed his planned Masters tuneups after contracting Covid-19 last month, returning only last week with a runner-up effort in Houston. Johnson, who began with a four-shot edge, had never converted a 54-hole major lead into a title, stumbling at the 2010, 2015 and 2018 US Opens and in August's PGA Championship, where he settled for a runner-up spot. That hex ended Sunday, but not without some early drama as Johnson's lead fell to one. Johnson made back-to-back bogeys at the fifth and par-3 sixth, ending a run of 33 bogey-free holes, to leave Im one back. "They weren't bad shots," Johnson said. "I didn't let it bother me too much. At six I made a birdie and that got me back." Im fell back with bogeys at six and seven, Johnson also birdied the par-5 eighth and never looked back. "I was nervous all day," Johnson said. "I could feel it. The Masters to me was the biggest. It still feels like a dream. I'm proud of the way I handled myself and finished off the golf tournament." Johnson, the first reigning world number one to grab the green jacket since Tiger Woods in 2002, was denied the usual champion's roars from spectators as no fans were allowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic that postponed the event from its usual April slot. - 'Amazing ability' - After overcoming his early wobble, Johnson was unflappable with deadly accuracy and consistency, his birdie streak from 13 through 15 lifting his week to historic status. "DJ has just an amazing ability to stay calm in tough moments," Woods said. There's no one more suited to that, I think, than DJ." Johnson's four total bogeys were the fewest of any Masters champion. Im had the lowest score for any Masters newcomer but couldn't become the first debut winner since 1979. "My goal was to make the cut," Im said through a translator. "To finish tied for second is unbelievable." Smith closed on 69, becoming the first Masters player to shoot all four rounds in the 60s. "That's cool," he said. "A lot of good around here this week." Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, needing a green jacket to complete a career Grand Slam, shot 69 to share fifth on 277 but never threatened Johnson. - Woods horror show - McIlroy, unable to recover from a first-round 75, took some solace after a sixth failed attempt to complete the career Slam. "I didn't have a great start but over the last 54 holes, only two bogeys, a lot of great golf in there," McIlroy said. "Not overthinking it as much could be the key for me." Woods, a five-time Masters winner and 15-time major champion, found Rae's Creek three times on his way to a septuple-bogey 10 at the par-3 12th, his worst score ever on a major hole. He responded with birdies on five of the last six holes to close on 76 and finish on 287. "Hit a few too many shots than I wanted," Woods said. "Had a lot more experiences there in Rae's Creek." Germany's Bernhard Langer, at 63 the oldest to make any Masters cut, shot 71 to finish on 285, one stroke better than US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who closed on 73 and never threatened to overpower Augusta, nagged by dizziness. "I've got to fix this dizziness," he said. "I've got to get healthy first and foremost."

Tearful Johnson captures Masters for second major title

World number one Dustin Johnson withdrew from the 81st Masters on Thursday, walking off the first tee due to a back injury.

The reigning US Open champion had been a heavy favorite in the year&#39;s first major golf championship after winning his three prior starts but suffered a lower back injury Wednesday in a fall down stairs at a rental house.

Johnson was seen walking back to the clubhouse shaking his head after undergoing a rigorous warm-up session before admitting defeat.

The 24-hour drama reached its emotional peak when Johnson arrived at the course and practiced his swings, hoping he could summon the strength to play through pain.

After a physical therapy session, Johnson tested his swing for several minutes under the watchful gaze of his caddie, brother Austin Johnson, and swing coach Butch Harmon, then returned for more therapy.

Johnson was to have joined two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2016 PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker in the day&#39;s final group.

Not since Rory McIlroy withdrew from the 2015 British Open has a world number one not played in a major championship.

The only other top-ranked player to miss the Masters was Tiger Woods, who did not play in 2014 after back surgery.

(AFP)

The world number one suffered a lower back injury Wednesday in a fall down stairs at a rental house

World number one Dustin Johnson withdrew from the 81st Masters on Thursday, walking off the first tee due to a back injury. The reigning US Open champion had been a heavy favorite in the year's first major golf championship after winning his three prior starts but suffered a lower back injury Wednesday in a fall down stairs at a rental house. Johnson was seen walking back to the clubhouse shaking his head after undergoing a rigorous warm-up session before admitting defeat. The 24-hour drama reached its emotional peak when Johnson arrived at the course and practiced his swings, hoping he could summon the strength to play through pain. After a physical therapy session, Johnson tested his swing for several minutes under the watchful gaze of his caddie, brother Austin Johnson, and swing coach Butch Harmon, then returned for more therapy. Johnson was to have joined two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2016 PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker in the day's final group. Not since Rory McIlroy withdrew from the 2015 British Open has a world number one not played in a major championship. The only other top-ranked player to miss the Masters was Tiger Woods, who did not play in 2014 after back surgery. (AFP)

Favourite Dustin Johnson withdraws from Masters

World number one Dustin Johnson could miss the Masters after injuring his lower back in a fall Wednesday on a staircase at a rented home.

The American star, who has not withdrawn from the year&#39;s first major championship starting Thursday, was&nbsp;the oddsmakers&#39; favorite after winning his past three starts.

&quot;Dustin Johnson&#39;s availability for The Masters is in jeopardy after the World&#39;s No. 1 golfer injured his lower back following a fall on a staircase,&quot; his agent David Winkle said.

&quot;At roughly 3:00 p.m. today, Dustin took a serious fall on a staircase in his Augusta rental home,&quot; he added.

Winkle said the US Open champion &quot;landed very hard on his lower back&quot; and was taking &nbsp;anti-inflammatory medication and using ice treatment in the hope of being able to play in the tournament.

Johnson is scheduled to tee off for his first round at 2:03 p.m. Thursday, the last tee time of the day.

Johnson is no stranger to freak accidents as he withdrew from The Masters in 2012 after his agent said he injured his back lifting a jet-ski.

(AFP)

World number one Dustin Johnson could miss the Masters after injuring his lower back in a fall Wednesday on a staircase at a rented home. The American star, who has not withdrawn from the year's first major championship starting Thursday, was the oddsmakers' favorite after winning his past three starts. "Dustin Johnson's availability for The Masters is in jeopardy after the World's No. 1 golfer injured his lower back following a fall on a staircase," his agent David Winkle said. "At roughly 3:00 p.m. today, Dustin took a serious fall on a staircase in his Augusta rental home," he added. Winkle said the US Open champion "landed very hard on his lower back" and was taking anti-inflammatory medication and using ice treatment in the hope of being able to play in the tournament. Johnson is scheduled to tee off for his first round at 2:03 p.m. Thursday, the last tee time of the day. Johnson is no stranger to freak accidents as he withdrew from The Masters in 2012 after his agent said he injured his back lifting a jet-ski. (AFP)

Favourite Dustin Johnson may miss Masters after falling down the stairs