Dustin Johnson captured his 20th US PGA Tour title on Sunday, firing a five-under par 66 to beat Rory McIlroy by five strokes in the final round of the WGC-Mexico Championship.

The 34-year-old American finished with a 21-under 263 total to win this event at the Club de Golf Chapultepec for the second time in three years.

"It clicked. I hit it really well this week," Johnson said. "It means a lot, to get 20 wins out here is very difficult. To do it before I turn 35 is pretty incredible.&nbsp;

"This is a big win for me. It gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year. I feel like the game is in good form right now."

McIlroy closed with a 67 thanks to a sizzling back nine -- six birdies in seven holes before a bogey at 18 -- but it wasn't enough to catch red-hot Johnson, who posted five of his six birdies on the back nine.

Johnson has won at least one US PGA event in 12th consecutive years, with his 20th career win coming in his 246th start.&nbsp;

Englishmen Paul Casey and Ian Poulter shared third on 273, shooting 65 and 68 respectively in the fourth round, with Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who fired 68 to join the pack 10 off Johnson's pace.

Sergio Garcia, Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Smith shot identical 70s and shared sixth.&nbsp;

Justin Thomas had the round of the day with a nine-under 62 which left him ninth. He had four consecutive birdies on numbers 10-13 and fashioned nine birdies over his first dozen holes.

In was another stroke back to Tiger Woods, who closed out his week with a 69 and tied for 10th with fellow Americans Keegan Bradley and David Lipsky and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Johnson got off to a tentative start with a bogey on the par-three third hole before making birdie on the par-five sixth.

"I felt some nerves at the beginning of the day but then I made some really good par saves early in the round and it gave me some momentum," Johnson said.

'Easy game for him'

He kicked it into high gear on the back nine with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes and then strung together three birdies in a row beginning at the par-four 14th.

"I just think that this place, it definitely favours someone who's driving it well," Thomas said. "But as good as DJ's wedge game is, it's a pretty easy game for him sometimes."

McIlroy failed to take advantage of Johnson's sluggish start with two bogeys on the front nine at the fourth and sixth holes.

McIlroy got hot on the backside, making six birdies in a seven-hole stretch before closing with another bogey on the par-four 18th.

"No contest," said McIlroy. "Especially here. His drives are going 380 down the middle of the fairway and he's holing most of the putts he looks at."

Woods, a seven-time winner of the tournament, struggled on the greens for the second consecutive day.&nbsp;

The 14-time major champion missed short birdie putts on the par-5 15 and the par-4 16th hole. Woods now takes a week off before returning for back-to-back events at the Bay Hill and The Players.&nbsp;

Reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed shot a final round 73 while playing in the final group. He finished tied for 14th.

Dustin Johnson captured his 20th US PGA Tour title on Sunday, firing a five-under par 66 to beat Rory McIlroy by five strokes in the final round of the WGC-Mexico Championship.

Dustin Johnson captured his 20th US PGA Tour title on Sunday, firing a five-under par 66 to beat Rory McIlroy by five strokes in the final round of the WGC-Mexico Championship. The 34-year-old American finished with a 21-under 263 total to win this event at the Club de Golf Chapultepec for the second time in three years. "It clicked. I hit it really well this week," Johnson said. "It means a lot, to get 20 wins out here is very difficult. To do it before I turn 35 is pretty incredible. "This is a big win for me. It gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year. I feel like the game is in good form right now." McIlroy closed with a 67 thanks to a sizzling back nine -- six birdies in seven holes before a bogey at 18 -- but it wasn't enough to catch red-hot Johnson, who posted five of his six birdies on the back nine. Johnson has won at least one US PGA event in 12th consecutive years, with his 20th career win coming in his 246th start. Englishmen Paul Casey and Ian Poulter shared third on 273, shooting 65 and 68 respectively in the fourth round, with Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who fired 68 to join the pack 10 off Johnson's pace. Sergio Garcia, Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Smith shot identical 70s and shared sixth. Justin Thomas had the round of the day with a nine-under 62 which left him ninth. He had four consecutive birdies on numbers 10-13 and fashioned nine birdies over his first dozen holes. In was another stroke back to Tiger Woods, who closed out his week with a 69 and tied for 10th with fellow Americans Keegan Bradley and David Lipsky and Dutchman Joost Luiten. Johnson got off to a tentative start with a bogey on the par-three third hole before making birdie on the par-five sixth. "I felt some nerves at the beginning of the day but then I made some really good par saves early in the round and it gave me some momentum," Johnson said. 'Easy game for him' He kicked it into high gear on the back nine with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes and then strung together three birdies in a row beginning at the par-four 14th. "I just think that this place, it definitely favours someone who's driving it well," Thomas said. "But as good as DJ's wedge game is, it's a pretty easy game for him sometimes." McIlroy failed to take advantage of Johnson's sluggish start with two bogeys on the front nine at the fourth and sixth holes. McIlroy got hot on the backside, making six birdies in a seven-hole stretch before closing with another bogey on the par-four 18th. "No contest," said McIlroy. "Especially here. His drives are going 380 down the middle of the fairway and he's holing most of the putts he looks at." Woods, a seven-time winner of the tournament, struggled on the greens for the second consecutive day. The 14-time major champion missed short birdie putts on the par-5 15 and the par-4 16th hole. Woods now takes a week off before returning for back-to-back events at the Bay Hill and The Players. Reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed shot a final round 73 while playing in the final group. He finished tied for 14th.

Dustin Johnson holds off McIlroy to win WGC-Mexico Championship

Tiger Woods took the bite out of the &quot;Snake Pit&quot; in his Valspar Championship debut to sit three shots behind clubhouse leader Corey Conners of Canada in first round action at Palm Harbor, Florida on Thursday.

Woods, who two weeks ago at the Honda Classic enjoyed the most encouraging result of his latest comeback from injury, mixed five birdies with four bogeys for a one-under-par 70 at Innisbrook Resort&#39;s Copperhead course.

That left the former world number one, who had spinal-fusion surgery last April and only returned to the PGA Tour this year, ahead of some other high-profile players competing this week, including world number four Jordan Spieth (76), four-times major winner Rory McIlroy (74) and Swede Henrik Stenson (74).

Woods arrived at the 16th, which is the start of a daunting three-hole closing stretch dubbed the &quot;Snake Pit&quot;, with an eye on getting back into red figures and closing the gap on rookie Conners.

After scrambling for a par four, Woods then made birdie at the penultimate hole before a closing par left him in a share of eighth place with a handful of golfers still on the course.

For Woods, who was grouped with Spieth and Stenson, this week marks what is likely to be his penultimate event before the April 5-8 U.S. Masters.

The 14-times major champion got off to an ideal start with a tap-in birdie at the par-five first hole after nearly draining his flop shot from beside the green.

At even-par through nine holes, the 42-year-old Woods then made consecutive birdies to start the back nine but followed that immediately with a pair of bogeys.

Connors, who failed to qualify for the Valspar earlier this week and only made the field as an alternate, mixed five birdies with a closing bogey for the early lead.

Spieth began his round with a birdie but that was the only highlight of the day for the three-time major champion, who made five bogeys during a brutal seven-hole stretch starting at the par-four third.

Masters champion Sergio Garcia (70), who started on the back nine, reached three-under par through 12 holes but bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes took the shine off his round.

McIlroy, seeking his first PGA Tour win in 18 months, also started on the back nine and opened with 10 consecutive pars before a roller-coaster finish that included a double-bogey, two bogeys and a birdie.

Defending champion Adam Hadwin of Canada carded an even-par 71.

Tiger Woods mixed five birdies with four bogeys for a one-under-par 70 at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead course

Tiger Woods took the bite out of the "Snake Pit" in his Valspar Championship debut to sit three shots behind clubhouse leader Corey Conners of Canada in first round action at Palm Harbor, Florida on Thursday. Woods, who two weeks ago at the Honda Classic enjoyed the most encouraging result of his latest comeback from injury, mixed five birdies with four bogeys for a one-under-par 70 at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead course. That left the former world number one, who had spinal-fusion surgery last April and only returned to the PGA Tour this year, ahead of some other high-profile players competing this week, including world number four Jordan Spieth (76), four-times major winner Rory McIlroy (74) and Swede Henrik Stenson (74). Woods arrived at the 16th, which is the start of a daunting three-hole closing stretch dubbed the "Snake Pit", with an eye on getting back into red figures and closing the gap on rookie Conners. After scrambling for a par four, Woods then made birdie at the penultimate hole before a closing par left him in a share of eighth place with a handful of golfers still on the course. For Woods, who was grouped with Spieth and Stenson, this week marks what is likely to be his penultimate event before the April 5-8 U.S. Masters. The 14-times major champion got off to an ideal start with a tap-in birdie at the par-five first hole after nearly draining his flop shot from beside the green. At even-par through nine holes, the 42-year-old Woods then made consecutive birdies to start the back nine but followed that immediately with a pair of bogeys. Connors, who failed to qualify for the Valspar earlier this week and only made the field as an alternate, mixed five birdies with a closing bogey for the early lead. Spieth began his round with a birdie but that was the only highlight of the day for the three-time major champion, who made five bogeys during a brutal seven-hole stretch starting at the par-four third. Masters champion Sergio Garcia (70), who started on the back nine, reached three-under par through 12 holes but bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes took the shine off his round. McIlroy, seeking his first PGA Tour win in 18 months, also started on the back nine and opened with 10 consecutive pars before a roller-coaster finish that included a double-bogey, two bogeys and a birdie. Defending champion Adam Hadwin of Canada carded an even-par 71.

Golf: Tiger in the mix at Valspar, Spieth and McIlroy struggle

Former number one golfer Rory McIlroy said on Friday that his outing last week with President Donald Trump was not a political endorsement of America&#39;s new leader but rather &quot;simply a round of golf&quot;.

The decision by the Northern Irish golfer to accept the invitation to play with the president at his Trump National golf course in Florida has come under fire on social media by some who saw it as approval of Trump and his policies.

&quot;To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone&#39;s company is just ridiculous,&quot; McIlroy, who lives much of the year in Florida, said on Twitter.

&quot;... This wasn&#39;t an endorsement nor a political statement of any kind. It was quite simply a round of golf. Golf was our common ground, nothing else.&quot;

McIlroy, 27, said he respects the office of the president and pointed out that he does not agree with everything his friends and family say, but still plays golf with them.

&quot;I hope to some degree this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation that was extended to me.&quot;

McIlroy&#39;s round with Trump came a week after South African Ernie Els played with the President and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Professional golfers have long played with American presidents, but the issue has become more controversial as the country has become more polarized in recent decades.

Republican-leaning Australian Greg Norman once chided Jack Nicklaus for playing with then-President Bill Clinton in the early 1990s.

But Norman and Clinton later became friends and Clinton suffered a knee injury that required surgery when he stumbled on the steps outside Norman&#39;s home in 1997.

McIlroy, who has been injured, plans to return to competition next week at the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City.

(Reuters)

The former world number one tweeted that him being slammed as a bigot is 'ridiculous'

Former number one golfer Rory McIlroy said on Friday that his outing last week with President Donald Trump was not a political endorsement of America's new leader but rather "simply a round of golf". The decision by the Northern Irish golfer to accept the invitation to play with the president at his Trump National golf course in Florida has come under fire on social media by some who saw it as approval of Trump and his policies. "To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone's company is just ridiculous," McIlroy, who lives much of the year in Florida, said on Twitter. "... This wasn't an endorsement nor a political statement of any kind. It was quite simply a round of golf. Golf was our common ground, nothing else." McIlroy, 27, said he respects the office of the president and pointed out that he does not agree with everything his friends and family say, but still plays golf with them. "I hope to some degree this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation that was extended to me." McIlroy's round with Trump came a week after South African Ernie Els played with the President and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Professional golfers have long played with American presidents, but the issue has become more controversial as the country has become more polarized in recent decades. Republican-leaning Australian Greg Norman once chided Jack Nicklaus for playing with then-President Bill Clinton in the early 1990s. But Norman and Clinton later became friends and Clinton suffered a knee injury that required surgery when he stumbled on the steps outside Norman's home in 1997. McIlroy, who has been injured, plans to return to competition next week at the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City. (Reuters)

McIlroy denies round of golf with Trump as 'endorsement'

mcilroy

Mcilroy, News on Mcilroy, stories on Mcilroy, articles on Mcilroy, Mcilroy stories at Wion, Mcilroy news, Mcilroy latest news