Dustin Johnson believes new format in LIV International Series will be a "trust test", World No 15 is still hopeful he can play in future Ryder Cups; USGA confirm qualified LIV golfers will be allowed to compete in next week's US Open - which is live on Sky Sports from June 16
Wednesday 8 June 2022 07:22, UK
Dustin Johnson has confirmed he has resigned from the PGA Tour in order to compete in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Speaking alongside fellow major-winners Louis Oosthuizen and Graeme McDowell at a LIV press conference at the Centurion Club on Tuesday, Johnson said he resigned his membership from the PGA Tour, which makes him ineligible for next year's Ryder Cup.
The former world No 1 expressed his excitement for the controversial new format, adding he believes it will be a 'true test.'
"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," Johnson said. "I'm going to play here for now, and that's the plan.
"What the consequences are going to be, I can't comment on how the tour is going to handle it.
Later on Tuesday, the USGA confirmed that golfers competing in this week's LIV series opener will be allowed to play in next week's US Open, providing they had already qualified.
A statement said: "Regarding players who may choose to play in London this week, we simply asked ourselves this question - should a player who had earned his way into the 2022 U.S. Open, via our published field criteria, be pulled out of the field as a result of his decision to play in another event? And we ultimately decided that they should not.
"Regarding players who may choose to play in London this week, we simply asked ourselves this question -- should a player who had earned his way into the 2022 U.S. Open, via our published field criteria, be pulled out of the field as a result of his decision to play in another event? And we ultimately decided that they should not."
Johnson, Oosthuizen, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Talor Gooch are among the golfers who have qualified for next week's US Open - which is live on Sky Sports from June 16.
When asked about never playing in the Ryder Cup again, Johnson said: "It was [a difficult decision to resign knowing it would make him ineligible for the Ryder Cup], but hopefully all things are subject to change and at some point it'll change and we'll be able to participate.
"If it doesn't, it was another thing I had to think long and hard about, and ultimately I decided to come do this and play out here.
"The Ryder Cup is unbelievable and something that has definitely meant a lot to me, and I'm proud to say that I've played and represented my country, and 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."
Of the Saudi-backed LIV format, Johnson added: "Ever since I was first introduced to this idea, I thought it was great for the game of golf.
"I was excited about a new format, a new kind of golf that I think is great for the game, is great for the fans, and I think it's going to be very exciting.
"I'm excited about playing. There's three rounds, no cut, it's a shotgun start, so to me everyone is playing in the same conditions.
"We see it all the time where you can get the bad side of a draw, and unfortunately that's just how it goes, but now we'd all play at the same exact time, same exact conditions, so it's going to be a really true test.
"Whoever wins, there's no: 'Well maybe if I would have teed off early on the first day I might have won the golf tournament,' it's a true test to see who's playing the best that week.
"The team part of it is exciting and it's just something new and different. I'm excited about doing it.
"I look to Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Colleague golf, those are some of the best times you have playing golf.
"Everything about this I'm excited about.
"Hopefully I am a captain, we'll see tonight I guess."
Johnson, who claimed the Masters title in 2020 and US Open title in 2016, has accumulated $74m on the course on the PGA Tour, and as recently as late February stated 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 the last 15 years.
"But this is something I thought was best for me and my family, and I'm very excited about playing.
"Obviously this is the first week, and it's something exciting and new and great for the game of golf. That's why I'm here.
"I don't want to play golf the rest of my life, which I felt like I was probably going to have to do.
"This was something new, and I like to do a lot of other things beside golf. This gives me the opportunity to spend more time with my family, doing the things that I love to do and it's an exciting time.
"I'm excited to be a part of it."
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell also spoke to the media from the Centurion Club but has not followed Johnson in officially resigning from the PGA Tour.
He hopes that his involvement with LIV will not block any potential Ryder Cup involvement
"What are the consequences going to be and are they healthy for the sport of golf?" McDowell said.
"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.
"Why, as a player, would I want to get involved in some sort of legal situation with one of the greatest tours in the world?
"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.
"Like I say, is it healthy for the sport?
"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 for example.
"We all hope that success out here will continue to attract other players, and the eco-system of golf is that we can all get on together.
"It's a beautiful sport, and this is not designed to be divisive, but as something that works together."
The captains, players and names of the 12 teams for the inaugural competition have been confirmed at a draft event.
Dustin Johnson, will lead 4 Aces, and completing his team will be Shaun Norris, Oliver Bekker and Kevin Yuan.
Phil Mickelson leads his Hy Flyers team which also includes Justin Harding, Ratchanon Chantananuwat and Chase Koepka.
Ian Poulter's Majesticks is an all-England affair, with Lee Westwood, Sam Horsfield and Laurie Canter making up the team.
The all-South African Stinger is captained by Louis Oosthuizen, and including Hennie Du Plessis, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace.
Elsewhere, Spaniard Sergio Garcia heads up the Fire Balls alongside amateurs David Puig and James Piot with Australian Jediah Morgan making up the team.
Other teams include Niblicks, captained by Graeme McDowell, Iron Heads, led by Kevin Na and Martin Kaymer's Cleeks.
Also, American Peter Uihlein captains Crushers, Sihwan Kim leads Smash, Talor Gooch heads Torque and Wade Ormsby captains Punch.
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
