American Dustin Johnson, a two-time major champion (USA Open and Masters) and former world No. 1, confirmed Tuesday in London that he has resigned from the PGA Tour to compete in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational that begins this week at the Centurion.
London Golf Club. “It’s hard to talk about the consequences that could have, but I’ve given up my membership on the PGA Tour and that’s the plan for now,” Johnson told a news conference at Centurion Golf Club, north London, host of the first event.
Dustin Johnson, statements
The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational, offering $25 million in prize money, will take place outside London starting this Thursday. Johnson said Tuesday that he “had to think hard” about leaving the PGA Tour, which appears to end his hopes of competing in the Ryder Cup with the United States.
“Ultimately, I decided to come in and do this,” Johnson said. “I’m excited about this project. Obviously the Ryder Cup is amazing and something that has meant a lot to me. I hope I get the chance to do it again, but I don’t make the rules,” he added.
Johnson, whose last victory came at the Saudi International in 2021, is No. 13 in the world, the highest-ranked player of the 48 competing this week. He has held the number 1 spot in the world longer than any player since Tiger Woods.
“I have chosen what is best for myself and my family,” Johnson said, explaining his decision to join the Saudi company led by Greg Norman. Speaking alongside Johnson, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell said he had not yet relinquished his PGA membership.
“I don’t think it’s necessary,” he said. “I don’t want to get into a legal situation with the PGA Tour,” said the Northern Irishman. DJ’s decision to voluntarily terminate his link with the PGA Tour is nothing more than a legal maneuver to try to avoid the sanctions that could be imposed on him for going to play on another circuit as a member of the PGA Tour.
Another story is the Grand Slams. “I can’t vouch for the majors, but I hope they let us play. Obviously, I’m exempt for the Grand Slams, so I’m going to play them, unless I hear otherwise,” he added. We will have to see the response of Augusta National, PGA of America, USGA and Royal & Ancient.
At the moment, none has made a forceful statement in this regard, neither positive nor negative. Of course, last week at the Memorial there were meetings at the highest level between those responsible for the PGA Tour, Augusta National and the USGA.
And it is that the American circuit is trying to get the Greats on their side and prohibit LIV Golf players from participating in the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and British Open Championship. In addition to Dustin Johnson and Kevin Na (he resigned on Saturday), Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwarztel and Branden Grace, among others, have also resigned from their PGA Tour membership.
The PGA Tour has not responded to the players about this request to leave the tour. To say that Sergio García does maintain his membership with the European Tour. The conversations with the European circuit, at the moment, are somewhat less tense than with the American one.
In any case, we will have to wait until the London tournament begins to find out if the DP World Tour ends up imposing any sanctions on its players or not.
