MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Dustin Johnson won the St. Jude Classic on Sunday in his second event back on tour after a back injury cost him nearly three months, shooting a 4-under 66 that held off John Merrick by a stroke.
Johnson began the final round two strokes back and held a piece of the lead three different times. He won his sixth career title with consecutive birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 and finished 9-under 271.
He aggravated his back in early March lifting a jet ski at his home and didn't return to the PGA Tour until last week at the Memorial, where he tied for 19th.
Johnson, who picked up the $1.08 million check, led by only a stroke going to No. 18. Rory McIlroy, Chad Campbell and Nick O'Hern, three of the four who had a chance to tie Johnson with a birdie, knocked their tee shots into the lake.
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