Johnson defends right to jump ship
‘Family first’ as Dustin quits PGA Tour and risks Ryder Cup role
DUSTIN JOHNSON has resigned from the PGA Tour in an escalation of golf’s civil war ahead of the launch of the Saudi-funded breakaway in St Albans on Friday. The former world No 1 announced at an awkward press conference yesterday that from now on he will only contest the majors, subject to him receiving clearance to do so amid the chaos, and the eight events of the controversial £200million LIV Golf Invitational Series, which starts at Centurion Club.
The 37-year-old American, who has pocketed a signing bonus in excess of £100m after winning more than £60m from 14 years on the Tour, said: ‘I don’t want to play for the rest of my life — this gives me an opportunity to do what I want to do.’
A day after Phil Mickelson was named as part of the 48-man field, which has been lured to Hertfordshire by a £25m prize fund, Johnson confirmed his decision could cost him a place in future Ryder Cups.
While the broader consequences for players going against the threats of the PGA Tour are undecided and will likely lead to a complex legal struggle, Johnson is the most notable departure to date. It has been reported that fellow major winners Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, who have all signed up to Greg Norman’s fledgling circuit, have also terminated their membership.
Johnson, speaking shortly before the US Open announced it would not ban breakaway players next week, said: ‘Obviously at this time it’s hard to speak on what the consequences will be, but for right now I’ve resigned my membership from the PGA Tour.
‘I’m going to play here for now and that’s the plan. Majors, again I can’t answer for them, but hopefully they are going to allow us to play. Obviously I’m exempt for the majors so I plan on playing there unless I hear otherwise.’
The two- time major winner added: ‘ The Ryder Cup is unbelievable and something that has definitely meant a lot to me and I’m proud to say I’ve played and represented my country. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do that again, but I don’t make the rules. I chose what’s best for me and my family.’
The picture around whether the defectors can contest majors is unclear.
For his part, Johnson received a 10-year exemption into the US Open because of his 2017 victory and his 2020 Masters win has cleared him to play at the Open and PGA Championship through to 2026. Long-term ramifications in those areas have not been determined yet in what has already become an ugly saga.
Johnson’s Centurion appearance will fall roughly three months after he said he was ‘fully committed’ to the PGA Tour.
‘A lot (has changed) over the last few months, but at that time I was committed to playing the PGA Tour,’ he said. ‘I’m very thankful for the PGA Tour and everything it’s done for me, I’ve done pretty well out there for 15 years.
‘But this is something I thought was best for me and my family and I’m very excited about playing.’
While Garcia is also said to have resigned from the PGA Tour, it is understood he has not done likewise from the European equivalent, now known as the DP World Tour. They have not said anything publicly about Ryder Cup implications for one of Europe’s biggest stars.
Johnson was joined at his press conference by Graeme McDowell, Oosthuizen and 15- year- old Ratchanon Chantananuwat.
In addressing the downsides to what he termed a ‘business’ decision, Northern Ireland’s McDowell said: ‘What are the consequences going to be and are they healthy for the sport of golf?
‘I haven’t resigned my membership from the PGA Tour as of yet. I don’t really feel like I need to.
‘But I also don’t want to get involved in a legal situation with the PGA Tour. They’ve given me phenomenal opportunities over the last 20 years. In regards to the
ryder Cup, it’s something i weighed up long and hard before i made the decision to come out here. i hope it doesn’t affect that.
‘When you look at the european Tour and the players that are here this week, they’ve done a huge amount for the ryder Cup product, it would be a shame to see those guys not invited back.
‘This tour is designed to be an add-on to the greatest tour in the world. The schedule has been put together such that it aligns well with the Pga Tour.’
in surreal scenes, press conference emcee ari Fleischer, who served as White House press secretary to President george W Bush, ducked a question from one journalist asking if he had taken ‘blood money’ to appear.
Other participants at Centurion include ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, richard Bland, Kevin Na, Talor gooch and martin Kaymer.