Seven holes after potentially committing a penalty but getting an OK from an on-site rules official, Dustin Johnson -- who went on to win the 2016 U.S. Open on Sunday -- learned that his two-stroke lead (at the time) might be reduced at the end of his round -- he did take a stroke penalty after his round.

Johnson went to the 12th tee box with a two-stroke lead at the U.S. Open when he was approached by USGA official Jeff Hall. Hall explained to Johnson that, after the completion of his round, they were going to review tape to potentially assess a penalty stroke after his ball moved on a green earlier in the day -- way back on the fifth hole.

At the time of Johnson's possible penalty, he called over a USGA official with his group and said it was not his fault the ball moved as he had not addressed the ball. (Johnson's putter was not on the ground and had not moved forward.) He and the official came to an agreement that he should just play the ball from the new position and there would be no penalty stroke.

The USGA then reviewed the tape and felt he likely was the cause of the ball moving, but they want to review the tape with Johnson after his round to give him a chance to adjust the score on his card. Hall went on the Fox broadcast and explained the situation, saying the USGA wanted him informed so he could play the rest of his round accordingly.

"We told Dustin that we reviewed the situation with his par put on hole five and that, after looking at the video, the actions that he took may very well have caused the ball to move, that the onus may be on the player in that situation," he said. "The actions could very well lead to a penalty stroke. ... [We told him] so he could play the last six holes being informed."

It was later reported on Fox's broadcast that the entire field was told of Johnson's potential penalty.

Johnson denied to the official that he moved the ball.

"He was very convinced that he didn't cause the ball to move, but the wording in the decision, I'm not sure many people would be familiar with that text," said Hall. "It's all about did the player's actions cause the ball to move. And the decision suggests that could be the case -- could be the case."

Johnson shook off the distraction to shoot a 69 in the final round and post 4-under 276 to win his first career major by three strokes in a tremendous display of skill and mental toughness.

After the round, Johnson was indeed penalized a stroke for the movement. Luckily for him -- and the USGA -- it had no effect on the outcome of the tournament, which was one of the reasons he took the penalty without much protest.

You can review the decision for yourself off of this video.

In the end, the USGA's decision didn't impact the outcome directly, but a number of PGA Tour players took to Twitter to rip the USGA for this decision, including Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth.


And, of course, we have a winner with John Daly.

Dustin Johnson, rules officials and a review in a major again? USATSI