Did Dustin Johnson’s thrilling 33-foot LIV Golf victory putt signal a ‘HEARTBEAT’ for golf?

Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images

When Dustin Johnson hammered home a 33-foot eagle putt to take the LIV Golf Boston title, did we just witness the ‘heartbeat’ of golf in that very moment?

It's a bold statement, but even some of LIV Golf’s harshest critics would find it hard to argue against the intense competitive nature throughout the final day, which lead to the thrilling three-way play-off in the fourth invitational event.

The latest big name stars all played their part in front of a big crowd in Boston. Cameron Smith made an exciting late burst, briefly holding top spot, until the drama played out on the final holes. Fellow debutant Joaquin Niemann produced a stunning golf display and had his own chances to win the event outright.

Every enthralling tournament has an unlikely underdog pushing the household names. LIV Golf got that in the little know Anirban Lahiri. It would have been a completely different fairytale story had the Indian star golfer seen out his short eagle putt on his last hole of the day. But the world saw what a $4million prize fund can do to nerves. This was no exhibition.

Eventually it was one of LIV Golf’s flagship names that sparked not only this invitation, but more tellingly, LIV Golf into life. The two-time major winner, Dustin Johnson put together a fantastic 65 on Sunday, which also had its own drama at the business end of the third round when he sent his approach shot widely off-course.

After the event Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf, called the Boston Invitation a ‘heartbeat’ for golf. It was certainly the spark that has made some now sit up and take this new global tour seriously.

Norman said via social media: “Incredible!! Amazing eagle finish Dustin Johnson. Congratulations mate and to the Four Aces. Three in a row.

“And thank you to all the fans and staff who made LIV Golf Boston as special as it was.

“We gave golf a heartbeat today.”

After the tournament Dustin Johnson was asked where the victory ranks for him in his career. Johnson said: “It's a great victory. Obviously we've got a great field, a lot of great players. Yeah, it's up there for sure.

“The fans were unbelievable out there today, and then obviously to get the team victory, too, is just a big bonus, just because at one point I think we were on 12 tee, I was playing with Talor and there was a leaderboard. I think we were four back standing on 12 tee. We had, whatever, seven holes to play.

“But all the guys, I know they're all watching leaderboards, so we all rallied really hard to get another win, and I think that says a lot about the team.”

“We closed out really well at Bedminster, too, and we all four got to play well if we want to win, especially on Sunday when you're counting three scores. So it was good, and obviously for myself, I wanted to finally get my first victory out here, especially I feel like I've had a really good chance to win every single week, just haven't played as well on Sunday as I'd like to. But played really nicely today, and finally got the first W.”

Johnson also described what the win means to him personally after facing early criticism joining LIV Golf. DJ responded: ”It means a lot. Obviously with the caliber of players that are playing, especially now on LIV, we've got great fields every week. We're going to continue to have great fields. It's probably going to even get better starting next year. But even right now our fields are unbelievable.

“For me, it's something new. It's something exciting. I'm really enjoying being out here, and we're playing at great venues and they do a wonderful job putting on the tournaments.

“I think you talk to any of the fans, the players, whoever, staff, they do a great job taking care of everyone and making it a great experience for everyone.

“I'm just really happy to be a part of it.”

It’s safe to say Boston has now set the standard when it comes to the level of expectation around LIV Golf. If Boston was the ‘heartbeat’, what can we expect from Chicago in two weeks time?