Dustin Johnson withdraws from Shell Houston Open after Match Play win

Dustin Johnson needs — nay, deserves — a break.

After winning his third consecutive PGA Tour event, including his second since becoming No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, on Sunday at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Johnson wasn’t certain whether he would remain in the field for this week’s Shell Houston Open. Johnson typically plays in the event to get ready for the Masters next week.

“I don’t know. Ask me that in the morning when I wake up,” Johnson said Sunday after winning in Austin, Texas. “I’ll get there Tuesday night, I would imagine, if I’m going to go. But yeah, as of right now I’m planning on being there.”

On Monday, Johnson chose to withdraw from the Shell Houston Open, opting for a few days of rest before jumping into Masters prep. He’s replaced in the 144-man field at Golf Club of Houston by Scott Stallings.

Johnson had good reason to get out of the Houston Open, playing 112 holes in winning all seven matches in the Match Play. Now, he will arrive at the Masters as the clear favorite to win and looking for a fourth consecutive win. Were Johnson to win the Masters for a second major, he would have the longest PGA Tour winning streak since Tiger Woods won five consecutive starts in a stretch from September 2007 to March 2008.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.