Dustin Johnson’s U.S. Open Disappointment: Impact of LIV Golf Move on Major Performances
Dustin Johnson’s struggles at major championships continued at the U.S. Open, where he missed the cut by a significant margin. The former Masters champion had a disastrous second round, carding a five-over-par 75 on Friday, resulting in a total score of ten-over-par. This left him well behind the cut line set at three-over-par, marking a…
Dustin Johnson’s struggles at major championships continued at the U.S. Open, where he missed the cut by a significant margin. The former Masters champion had a disastrous second round, carding a five-over-par 75 on Friday, resulting in a total score of ten-over-par. This left him well behind the cut line set at three-over-par, marking a notable setback in his career.
Since joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, Johnson has experienced mixed fortunes in major tournaments. Despite excelling in LIV events and earning substantial financial rewards, with a reported deal worth £118 million ($150 million), his performance in major championships has been lackluster. Johnson has managed only two top-ten finishes in majors since making the switch, raising concerns among some that his move to LIV has negatively impacted his preparation and performance at these crucial events.
Golf journalist Alan Shipnuck reported that there are worries within Johnson’s circle about the impact of the LIV move on his major championship preparations. According to Shipnuck, a member of Johnson’s team indicated that the two-time major champion thrives on routine and adequate preparation time for major tournaments. However, this has been disrupted since joining LIV Golf. Shipnuck highlighted the trade-offs of Johnson’s lucrative deal, noting on social media platform X: “Yeah, I know he took barrels of money and that comes with trade-offs. Just trying to add some context for his poor play in the majors.”
A lack of preparation time was evident last year, when Johnson spent three weeks abroad before the Open Championship, leaving little time for him to prepare. Consequently, he missed the cut, a trend that continued into this year when he also missed the cut at the Masters.
Interestingly, Johnson’s struggles are not universally shared among his LIV counterparts. Bryson DeChambeau, who joined the LIV series around the same time as Johnson, had an impressive start at the U.S. Open, entering Saturday’s session tied for second. DeChambeau has also secured consecutive top-ten finishes in majors this year, including a tied-sixth place at the Masters and a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship, where he was just one shot behind the eventual winner, Xander Schauffele.
The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2 saw several other notable golfers, both from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, fail to make the cut. Big names such as Viktor Hovland, Adrian Meronk, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods struggled with the challenging greens of the North Carolina course. After his disappointing performance, Woods hinted that this might be his final U.S. Open. When asked about his future at the event, he said, “It may or may not be.” Woods added, “I’ve only got one more tournament this season – I don’t think even if I win the British Open I’ll be in the [PGA Tour] play-offs. Just one more event and then I’ll come back whenever I come back.”
Johnson’s recent difficulties highlight the complexities and trade-offs faced by players transitioning to the LIV Golf series. While financial incentives are significant, the shift can disrupt established routines and preparation strategies crucial for success at major championships.