Dustin Johnson stepped up when Jason Day stumbled down the stretch.
DJ backed up his U.S. Open victory by posting a second straight 4-under-par 66 to claim a one-stroke victory over Scott Piercy in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
“I played great throughout the weekend,” said Johnson, who earned his 11th PGA Tour victory and third in the World Golf Championships to tie Geoff Ogilivy of Australia for second behind Tiger Woods’ incredible record of 18. “I drove the ball really well and had a lot of shots from the fairway, and you’ve gotta do that around here. I rolled the ball really well with the putter.
“I feel great and my game has been solid all year, I just wasn’t putting as well as I’d like to. But that’s been better (in his last two events, including his U.S. Open victory two weeks ago at Oakmont).”
Piercy, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, recorded a 70 and duplicated his runner-up finish behind Johnson at Oakmont.
Day, the top-ranked player in the world from Australia, chipped in for an eagle from 48 feet on the second hole and held sole possession of the lead until lipping out a five-foot putt for par on the 15th that allowed Johnson to draw even.
It got worse for the Aussie one hole later, when he drove into the trees, hit his third shot into the water and eventually took a double-bogey 7.
Day made bogey on the final hole to finish at 72 and was three shots back in a tie for third with Jordan Spieth, who shot 67, Matt Kuchar, who totaled 66, and Kevin Chappell of Fresno and UCLA, who came in at 67.
William McGirt, who had the first-round lead with a 64, carded a second straight 70 and was another stroke behind in a tie for seventh with Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who also had a 70, and David Lingmerth of Sweden, who wound up at 72.
Rickie Fowler of Murrieta recorded a 67 and was six shots down in a tie for 10th with Adam Scott (68) of Australia, Branden Grace (68) of Australia and Zach Johnson (65), who will defend his title in the Open Championship in two weeks at Royal Troon.
Bubba Watson tied for 14th after a 70, Phil Mickelson shot 68 to tie for 27th, defending champion Shane Lowry of Ireland tied for 36th after a 68 and Justin Rose of England carded a 72 to tie for 46th.
