RUMFORD, R.I. (June 23, 2007) – After two days of heavy winds and fast greens, Dustin Johnson emerged as the only player in the field to finish under par as he fired a one-over 70 and won the 46th Northeast Amateur by two strokes.

Johnson got off to a fast start on the week by shooting a 5-under 64 in the opening round to grab an early lead. He wasn't under par the rest of the tournament but the field struggled as well as heavy winds dried the greens at the par-69, Donald Ross layout. Johnson, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., finished at 1-under 275 (64-69-72-70) to beat both Drew Kittleson (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Chris Kirk (Woodstock, Ga.) by two strokes.

``This is the most important tournament I’ve ever won. I’m very excited,’’ said Johnson, a two-time All-American at Coastal Carolina University.

Four players – defending champion Carlton Forrester, Billy Horschel, Jarred Texter and Kyle Stanley – finished tied for fourth at 2-over 278.

Horschel began the day with a two stroke lead at 6-under par but was 7-over on the front nine and his troubles opened the door for several other players to make a run at the title. Johnson birdied the first hole but made double bogey on the third hole and bogey at the ninth. That brought him back to the field, but he was the only player under par at 1-under.

Johnson proceeded to make six straight pars and a birdie at the 16th hole gave him a three-stroke lead. An errant drive at the 17th tee sparked some nervous moments but he scrambled to make bogey on the hole and then iced the tourney with a tap-in par on eighteen.

- story courtesy Northeast Amateur Tournament Committee

Complete scores from the par 69 Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island, follow: