Dustin Johnson wasted no time leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. His name was among those on the entry list for the Saudi Arabia-backed league’s first event last season in London. A big loss for the Tour.
Many players feel the same way, including Jordan Spieth.
The Texan was asked about Johnson on Wednesday before the start of this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, an event Spieth and Johnson played alongside each other on several occasions.
“He really loved this event,” the 16th-ranked player in the world said. “Loved playing with Wayne (Gretzky, his father-in-law). We had a blast. I know that because we had a blast with him for, what, eight years I think we played with them. Eight or nine we played together.”
Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Thursday tee times
Out of all the big departures last year, Spieth says the 2020 Masters champion is one of the most missed.
“I think DJ being maybe the first one to go over there and somebody who is not, never was really controversial over here and more so just kind of worked his butt off,” he said, “it paid off, got his breakthrough at the U.S. Open, then went and won the Masters. Just a Hall of Fame player that didn’t create controversy with any other players and played on a bunch of Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup teams. Represented them really well.
Johnson was in the field for the PIF Saudi International before pulling out in the first round due to a tweaked back. The once world No. 1 now sits 46th.
Spieth tees off at 12:25 p.m. ET Thursday at Spyglass Hill alongside country music star Jake Owen.
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