Dustin Johnson withdraws from Saudi event due to injury
Dustin Johnson withdrew from the PIF Saudi International, citing a back injury. The LIV golfer has pulled out of the championship after tweaking his back.
The 38-year-old golfer was scheduled to play in the tournament, which will take place at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Jeddah. But reports claimed he injured his back during the practice round on Wednesday and was thus forced to opt out of the tournament.
It is important to note that Dustin Johnson won the tournament in 2019 and 2021. It was the third time he was slated to compete against star golfers around the globe.
The Asian Tour released a statement saying:
"Two-time champion Dustin Johnson has unfortunately had to withdraw ahead of the first round of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers after tweaking his back."
Dustin Johnson had the best career year in 2022. He won the inaugural season of the LIV Golf Series and took home $35 million in prize money. Fans were excited to see him play in the first tournament of the new year, but apparently, his injuries made people wait a bit longer to see him on the course.
Interestingly, PIF Saudi International features PGA Tour players who have received waivers from the tour to compete in the tournament.
"He may be rejoining the PGAT!!" - Fans react to Dustin Johnson's withdrawal from the PIF Saudi International
Dustin Johnson's withdrawal wasn't well-received by fans, and they talked about whether he had rejoined the PGA Tour. Johnson is rumored to be leaving the LIV Golf Tour to compete in PGA Tour events.
On February 2, a golf fan account tweeted:
"Dustin Johnson has WD in Saudi Arabia citing a tweak to his back."
Dustin Johnson has WD in Saudi Arabia citing a tweak to his back.🚨Dustin Johnson has WD in Saudi Arabia citing a tweak to his back.
Fans jumped into the comments section to say:
"DJ being DJ."
@NUCLRGOLF DJ being DJ
"Pissed away a chance to score some OWGR. That said, he probably doesn't care about that anymore."
@NUCLRGOLF pissed away a chance to score some OWGR. That said, he probably doesn't care about that anymore.
"Hard to evenly distribute 150 mill between two back pockets. Struggle is real."
@NUCLRGOLF Hard to evenly distribute 150 mill between two back pockets. Struggle is real.
"Well we know it’s not because he was playing too much golf"
@NUCLRGOLF Well we know it’s not because he was playing too much golf
"All that fishing is hard work"
"saudis not gonna like that"
"Hahahaha he hasn’t done anything!"
"All that fishing is hard work"
@NUCLRGOLF All that fishing is hard work
"He’s going to get Khashoggied if he misses one more exhibition."
@NUCLRGOLF He’s going to get Khashoggied if he misses one more exhibition.
While some talked about Dustin Johnson rejoining the PGA Tour:
"Let's do what LIVer do: RUMOR- He wants back on the PGA Tour."
@NUCLRGOLF Let's do what LIVer do:
RUMOR- He wants back on the PGA Tour.
"He may be rejoining the PGAT!!"
@NUCLRGOLF He may be rejoining the PGAT!!
The former No. 1 has had a long struggle with injuries. He injured his back in 2017 and stepped down from the Masters; he later joined LIV Golf in 2022. Fortunately, Dustin emerged as the winner of the first season of the series and was expected to play in the Saudi-backed series. However, he withdrew his name.
Johnson will probably start the new year with his first tournament at LIV Golf's opening event, scheduled to take place from February 24 to 26 at the Mayakoba Resort in Mexico.
LIV Golf recently announced its 2023 roster, consisting of 14 events in seven different countries.