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Dustin Johnson takes Tiger Woods' course record at Sherwood C.C.

Dustin Johnson is still on a leave of absence from the PGA Tour, meaning he won't defend his title this week at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China. But that doesn't mean the world's No. 15 -- he actually has improved in the ranking since stepping away from golf -- has lost a step.

On Oct. 28, Johnson set a new course record at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., just west of Los Angeles. His round of 61, with future father-in-law Wayne Gretzky playing alongside, toppled the record previously held by 14-time major champion Tiger Woods. Woods, who has not played competitively since the PGA Championship in August, held his Hero World Challenge event there for over a decade and had the course record since 2007.

Johnson went out in 5-under 31, making five birdies against no bogeys, before dropping his only shot of the round at the 10th. However, five birdies and an eagle in the final eight holes got Johnson the course record, according to TMZ.

Unfortunately, we won't see Johnson again on the PGA Tour until his fiancee, Wayne's daughter Paulina, has the couple's first child in early 2015.


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