Dustin Johnson‘s poor form continued at LIV Golf Nashville, with the former world No. 1 finishing almost last at The Grove, a staggering 23 shots behind winner Tyrrell Hatton.
Johnson started the season on a high note, securing a win in Las Vegas in February, but his performance has significantly declined since then. The 39 year old hasn’t made an impact in any of the three majors this year, missing the cut at The Masters and the U.S. Open, and only managing a tied-43rd finish at the PGA Championship.
After a tough week at Pinehurst No. 2, Johnson was hopeful that returning to LIV would turn his luck around.
However, despite favorable scoring conditions, he quickly fell behind and finished Sunday’s third and final round at four-over-par, ending up in a tie for 51st place, ahead of only Danny Lee who finished last, reports the Mirror US.
Not too long ago, two-time major champion Johnson was one of the dominant forces in the game. His $150 million move to the breakaway LIV circuit in 2022 initially brought huge rewards, including winning the inaugural season title. hHis performances have gradually declined and he has become an afterthought at the majors.
His forgettable weekend in Tennessee follows reports by journalist Alan Shipnuck that the former Ryder Cup star’s team are worried about the impact of LIV Golf’s schedule and format on his performance in the majors. Johnson is known to be a creature of habit who benefits from rigorous preparation heading into the biggest tests of the year.
However, Johnson’s lack of preparation due to LIV’s lighter schedule and generally easier courses compared to the PGA Tour has led to disappointing performances at Pinehurst No. 2 and Augusta National this year. His poor showings in the majors have resulted in him slipping to 388 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Since LIV events are not sanctioned by the OWGR, strong performances in the majors are crucial for LIV players to maintain their ranking.
As a result, Johnson risks missing out on future participation in The Open Championship and the PGA Championship. His 2020 victory at The Masters ensures him a lifetime exemption at Augusta National, and he is set to play in the U.S. Open until 2026 after his win at Oakmont in 2016.
However, his exemptions for the British Open and the PGA expire after the 2025 season.
Johnson wasn’t the only LIV star to struggle at The Grove, with Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson finishing tied for 42nd and 40th respectively. Hatton pulled away from the pack on Saturday and solidified his lead on Sunday, finishing six shots ahead of runner-up Sam Horsefield.