Dustin Johnson is apparently ready to jump ship from the PGA Tour.
Johnson was listed in the field at the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event next week, the controversial Greg Norman run league announced on Tuesday night.
In total, 42 players were announced in the field at the first event at the Centurion Club in London, which is set to kick off on June 9. Among those listed are Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Chase Koepka, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Hudson Swafford and Lee Westwood.
Phil Mickelson, who has not played since his controversial comments about the Saudi Arabian government and this league, was not listed.
The announcement with Johnson specifically comes as a surprise, considering he had reaffirmed his commitment to the PGA Tour earlier this year despite rumors to the contrary.
The announcement with Johnson specifically comes as a surprise, considering he distanced himself from the Saudi-backed league earlier this year and said he was “fully committed” to the PGA Tour.
“I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest. I am fully committed to the PGA Tour,” Johnson said in February. “I am grateful for the opportunity to play on the best tour in the world and for all it has provided me and my family.
“While there will always be areas where our Tour can improve and evolve, I am thankful for our leadership and the many sponsors who make the PGA Tour golf’s premier tour.”
Clearly, something has changed for Johnson.
Johnson, 37, has won 24 times on the PGA Tour in his career — most recently at the 2020 Masters, whichClearly, something changed between the Genesis Invitational and now.
Johnson, 37, has won 24 times on the PGA Tour in his career — most recently at the 2020 Masters, which marked his second major championship win. He’s currently ranked No. 13 in the world.
Johnson missed the cut at the PGA Championship last week.
What will the PGA Tour do?
It’s unclear what PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will do as a result of Johnson and other’s departure, but he’s not going to be happy.
Monahan has been against the LIV Golf league from the beginning, and even threatened golfers with the permanent loss of their Tour card if they compete in the Saudi-backed league. PGA Tour players are required to get a release in order to play in conflicting events, something it denied earlier this month.
The first event is set to take place opposite of the RBC Canadian Open. RBC issued a statement on Tuesday night.
“RBC is a proud partner of the PGA Tour. Our partnership is anchored with two world-class golf tournaments — the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open,” the bank said in a statement, via golf reporter Adam Stanley. “The PGA Tour has been clear about its intentions in accordance with its tournament regulations should a golfer choose to play in a tournament outside the Tour, including the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
“We were recently made aware that Dustin Johnson made the decision to play the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener. DJ has been a valued RBC Team member since 2018. While we are extremely disappointed in his decision, we wish him well.”
Even if Monahan prohibits Johnson and others from playing in PGA Tour events, they will still be allowed to compete in the four major championships each season — as those are operated outside of the PGA Tour.
