Reuters
Aug 28, 2021; Owings Mills, Maryland, USA; Dustin Johnson looks on from the first green during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament | Courtesy: Reuters
Reuters
Aug 28, 2021; Owings Mills, Maryland, USA; Dustin Johnson looks on from the first green during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament | Courtesy: Reuters
The upcoming Saudi International is set to host many golfers from LIV Golf. However, the much-anticipated event won’t have the former world number one and the winner of the lucrative Tour’s inaugural season, Dustin Johnson. The golfer who was headlined for the tournament announced his withdrawal a day before the players stepped on the field.
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Johnson impressed the golf world last year with his astonishing results on the Saudi-funded Tour. The 38-year-old earned $35 million from the new Tour just through his on-course performances. He looked to continue his top-notch form in 2023, but it was stopped in its tracks by a back injury.
Dustin Johnson out of Saudi International
Though the upcoming event in Jeddah is part of the Asian Tour, all of the 48 LIV Golf defectors were seeking to compete at the tournament. Nonetheless, earlier today, DJ announced his withdrawal from the event due to a back injury.
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🚨Dustin Johnson has WD in Saudi Arabia citing a tweak to his back.
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 2, 2023
The two-time Major winner won the Saudi International in 2019 and 2021. He was hoping to win for the third time at the Royal Greens while also earning some OWGR points, but a long-standing troubled back came back to haunt the golfer. With Johnson out, the Asian Tour event will go ahead with 47 LIV Golf players.
Dustin Johnson was widely considered a favorite to win the $5 million prize money and bag home the 26 OWGR points. But with him being injured, the win is up for grabs. The severity of the injury is still unknown. LIV Golf’s second season will commence in Mexico’s El Camaleon Golf Club in Mayakoba on February 24 onwards.
Whether the former world number one will be fit in time to defend his LIV Golf title is unclear. Nonetheless, as the news of DJ missing the upcoming Saudi event made headlines, golf fans shared their reactions on Twitter. Since he withdrew from the tournament, some speculated his return to the PGA Tour while others claimed he missed an opportunity to earn some valuable OWGR points.
Golf fans react to Dustin Johnson’s withdrawal
Let’s take a look at what the golf world had to say:
He may be rejoining the PGAT!!
— Endurance Agency (@EnduranceAgency) February 2, 2023
Hard to evenly distribute 150 mill between two back pockets. Struggle is real.
— Michael Meyer (@MeyerMtg) February 2, 2023
pissed away a chance to score some OWGR. That said, he probably doesn't care about that anymore.
— Jon Hawks (@jonhawks317) February 2, 2023
Ran into Jon Rahm over the weekend?
— TJ Schmidt (@uwotitan3) February 2, 2023
DJ being DJ
— WPIV88 (@W_ParadiseIV) February 2, 2023
— Jackson Maynor (@jmaynor9) February 2, 2023
Going to be a “tweak” in his neck if he WD’s again.
— Ryan Michael (@RyanMichael99) February 2, 2023
Why would he want to go back to the minor league?
— Gary (@Bowzer69420) February 2, 2023
Though Johnson may be out of Saudi International, his absence will surely be missed. Let’s hope he recovers before the commencement of LIV Golf’s second season. Share your thoughts on DJ’s sad news in the comments section below.
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Written by
Edited by
Manaal Siddiqui