U.S. BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
Johnson wins first title on PGA Tour

When Corey Pavin won the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee two years ago, he was aided by a final-round eagle on the par-4 eighth hole when his approach shot rolled in the hole.

Last year, Joe Ogilvie made an unlikely eagle with a holed wedge shot on No. 16 in the final round, which helped propel him to victory at Brown Deer Park GC.

This year, it was some heroics by Richard S. Johnson which sealed the tournament. Johnson started the week with a memorable eagle – an ace of the par-3 14th hole; the first on the hole since Tiger Woods’ hole-in-one in 1996 – and he closed it with three birdies on the final four holes to shoot 64 and win his first title on the PGA Tour.

Johnson, a native of Sweden who lives in Florida, shot 63-67-70-64–264 and won $720,000.

“I don’t think it will change my life drastically,” said Johnson, when asked about his life-changing win, which brings with it a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. “I’m like every other person. I’ve got a mortgage to pay off.”

Johnson’s closing birdie on 18 came as a result of a terrific 3-wood shot from 241 yards. The ball stopped about 20 feet from the hole, and Johnson two-putted from there. Johnson needed the birdie because runner-up Ken Duke also birdied 18 to shoot 65 and finish one stroke behind Johnson.

“If it was another day, I might have hit 2-iron,” Johnson said of his 3-wood shot on 18. “But I just hit a soft 3-wood and I caught it terrific, straight to the pin, and it was just a relief when it took off.”

Tied for third at 267 was the trio of Dean Wilson, Chad Campbell and Chris Riley.

Ogilvie was also in the hunt as he attempted to be the first repeat winner of the U.S. Bank Championship. Ogilvie had the lead briefly Sunday on the back nine before bogeying Nos. 16 and 17 to spoil his chances. Ogilvie eventually finished in a five-way tie for sixth at 268. That group also included Kenny Perry, the 2003 champion who closed with a 64 of his own to climb into the top 10.

Among Wisconsin players, Pewaukee native Mark Wilson rallied to earn “top Badger honors.” Wilson closed with a 66 on Sunday to move into a tie for 19th place at 10-under-par 270.

Jon Turcott of Middleton earned the first PGA Tour check of his career when he tied for 64th place at 277. Turcott, a member of the Nationwide Tour, shot 70 on Sunday.

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