LONDON — Dustin Johnson stated Tuesday he has joined a number of different golfers and resigned from the PGA Tour efficient instantly, and he plans to play solely LIV Golf occasions and main championships going ahead.
Johnson, who has been a member of the PGA Tour since 2008, made the announcement within the opening information convention for LIV Golf’s first occasion at Centurion Golf Membership. Johnson stated he’d fastidiously thought-about the choice over the previous six months and felt it was the proper one.
“For proper now, I’ve resigned my membership on the tour and I’ll play [LIV] for now,” Johnson stated. “That is the plan.”
In February, Johnson launched an announcement by means of PGA Tour Communications saying he was absolutely dedicated to the tour, however he in the end modified his thoughts.
“At the moment, I used to be dedicated to enjoying the PGA Tour,” Johnson stated. “I am very grateful for the PGA Tour and every little thing it is finished for me. I’ve finished fairly properly on the market for the final 15 years. However that is one thing that was greatest for me and my household. It is one thing thrilling and one thing new.”
Johnson stated he absolutely expects to have the ability to play within the majors, together with subsequent week’s U.S. Open at Brookline, Massachusetts. The USGA has not proven any indication that it will try and bar gamers who joined the LIV Golf Tour from its championships. Johnson has a 10-year exemption into the U.S. Open due to his 2017 victory, and his 2020 Masters victory earned him five-year exemptions into the Open Championship and PGA Championship by means of 2026.
“I am unable to reply for the majors, however hopefully they are going to permit us to play,” Johnson stated. “Clearly I am exempt for the majors, so I plan on enjoying until I hear in any other case.”
Johnson’s 24 PGA Tour victories are the fourth most amongst energetic gamers, trailing Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh. He has earned $74.2 million throughout that point.
Johnson’s determination — which follows similar decisions by Kevin Na, Sergio Garcia, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel — doubtless will make him ineligible for future Ryder Cups, as gamers have to be members of the PGA of America to be thought-about. Members of the PGA Tour are given automated membership into the PGA of America. Johnson stated he weighed that in his determination as properly.
“Clearly all issues are topic to alter,” Johnson stated. “Hopefully in some unspecified time in the future it would change and I am going to be capable of take part. If it does not, properly, it was one other factor I actually needed to assume lengthy and onerous about. In the end I determine to return to this and play out right here.
“The Ryder Cup is unbelievable and one thing that has undoubtedly meant loads to me. I am proud to say I’ve represented my nation, and hopefully I am going to get an opportunity to do this once more. However I do not make the principles.”
