Dustin Johnson is looking to cement his place as world No 1 after moving top of the world rankings for the first time at the Genesis Open.
The 32-year-old cruised to a five-shot win at Riviera Country Club, ending Jason Day’s 11-month stint at the top of the standings.
Johnson has been inside the world’s top 10 since winning the 2015 WGC-Cadillac Championship and closed the gap on top spot with three wins last year.
The American then posted top-six finishes in three of his first four worldwide events of 2017 before victory in California, making him the 20th world No 1 since the rankings began.
“It has been a long journey,” Johnson told the media on Sunday. “Growing up as a kid playing golf, I never really thought about being No 1 in the world.
“Once I got on tour and started winning some and got up in inside the top 10 in the world, I knew it was definitely doable and here I am.
“So it’s going to just push me to just keep working harder and stay there.”
Johnson held a one-shot lead at the halfway stage before extending his advantage to five strokes with a seven-under 64 on Sunday morning.
The US Open champion increased his cushion to eight strokes with a fast start to his final round, but closed with a level-par 71 after carding three bogeys in the back nine of his victory procession.
“Today was a long day but sometimes 36-hole days are good,” Johnson added. “To finally get a win at the Genesis Open feels good.
“I’ve finished second here a couple times, lost in a play-off and felt like I should have won a couple other times.
“It’s definitely nice to win on a golf course that I really enjoy playing and a golf tournament I really enjoy playing.”
