Coastal Carolina Alum Dustin Johnson Wins First PGA TOUR Event

With one stroke of the putter, Dustin Johnson made the Turning Stone the turning point of his rookie PGA TOUR season – and perhaps his career.

Johnson sank an 8-footer on the 72nd hole of last weekend’s Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, N.Y. to seal a one-stroke victory over Robert Allenby, earning his first-ever TOUR victory and a $1.08-million payout.

But the real numbers in play here for Johnson were 128, 125 and 41. The first number had the Coastal Carolina product on the outside looking in with respect to the second, as Johnson entered last weekend’s play three slots shy of the top 125 money list slot he needed in order to keep his full exemption for the 2009 season.

The Turning Stone win quickly made those numbers (not to mention a grueling trip to Q school) an afterthought, as Johnson vaulted a staggering 87 spots on the money list ($1,715,645). Now, with five more opportunities to shine in the Fall Series, Johnson has positioned himself for a run at a top-30 finish – which would earn him automatic exemptions to the 2009 Masters and U.S. Open.

"Hasn't quite sunk in yet, so I don't really quite know what's going on yet,” said Johnson immediately following the victory. “Obviously it's a great feeling. I feel like I've worked real hard the last month to get my game in shape to, you know, be in the position to win a tournament, so I'm very excited.”

For full coverage of Johnson’s breakthrough win, visit PGATOUR.com.