LONDON – Dustin Johnson said on Tuesday that he has joined several other golfers and has given up the PGA Tour with effect immediately, and that he plans to play only LIV golf events and major championships in the future.
Johnson, who has been a member of the PGA Tour since 2008, made the announcement at the opening press conference of the first LIV Golf event at the Centurion Golf Club. Johnson said he had carefully considered the decision for the past six months and considered it the right one.
“For the time being, I have given up my tour membership and I’m going to play [LIV] for now, “Johnson said.” That’s the plan. “
In February, Johnson released a statement via PGA Tour Communications saying he was fully committed to the tour, but eventually changed his mind.
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“At the time, I was committed to playing the PGA Tour,” Johnson said. “I’m really grateful for the PGA Tour and everything that’s been done for me. I’ve done pretty well over the last 15 years. But that’s something that’s been better for me and my family. It’s something exciting and something new. “
Johnson said he hopes to play in the majors, including next week’s U.S. Open in Brookline, Massachusetts. The USGA has shown no sign of trying to ban players who joined the LIV Golf Tour from their championships. Johnson has a 10-year exemption at the U.S. Open because of his 2017 victory, and his 2020 Masters victory earned him five-year exemptions in the Open Championship and the PGA Championship until 2026.
“I can’t answer for the majors, but hopefully they’ll let us play,” Johnson said. “I’m obviously free of the majors, so I plan to play unless I hear the opposite.”
Johnson’s 24 PGA Tour victories are the fourth most active, behind Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh. He has earned $ 74.2 million during that time.
Johnson’s decision, which follows similar decisions by Kevin Na, Sergio Garcia, Brandon Grace and Charl Schwartzel, will likely make him ineligible for future Ryder Cups, as players must be members of the PGA of America to be considered. Members of the PGA Tour are given the automatic subscription to the PGA of America. Johnson said he also valued it in his decision.
“Obviously, everything is subject to change,” Johnson said. “I hope that at some point I can change and be able to participate. If not, well, it was something else that I had to think about a lot and a lot. In the end I decided to come to this and play here.
“The Ryder Cup is amazing and something that has certainly meant a lot to me. I am proud to say that I have represented my country and I hope you have the opportunity to do it again. But I don’t make the rules. “