DeChambeau claims four-stroke victory in FedEx Cup opener

(Reuters) - Bryson DeChambeau cruised to a four-stroke victory at the Northern Trust in the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs in New Jersey on Sunday.

After seeing his lead shrink to two shots with a bogey at the ninth hole, DeChambeau responded with consecutive birdies on the back nine en route to a closing 69 and 18-under 266 for the tournament.

The win moved the 24-year-old Californian past world number one Dustin Johnson in the FedEx Cup standings.

Tony Finau finished second with a three-under 68 to go 14-under and Australian Cameron Smith (69) and Billy Horschel (68) shared third at 13-under 271 at Ridgewood Country Club.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Pritha Sarkar)