AMERICAN DUSTIN JOHNSON says he is taking a leave of absence from professional golf to address “personal challenges,” bringing his US PGA Tour season to an abrupt end.
“I am taking a leave of absence from professional golf, effective immediately,” the eight-time PGA winner said in a statement released to media outlets. “I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced.
“By committing the time and resources necessary to improve my mental health, physical well-being and emotional foundation, I am confident that I will be better equipped to fulfill my potential and become a consistent champion.”
The 30-year-old, who last year announced his engagement to NHL great Wayne Gretzky’s daughter Paulina, had already withdrawn from the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational that teed off Thursday in Akron, Ohio.
The PGA of America announced that Johnson will not take part in next week’s PGA Championship or the Ryder Cup in September.
Johnson, who finished tied for fourth at the US Open in June and equal 12th at the British Open, is fifth on the US Ryder Cup points list.
If he is still in the top nine when qualifying for the nine automatic berths ends next week, the 10th-placed golfer on the list will gain a berth for the match-play showdown between the United States and Europe.
“We have nothing to add to Dustin’s statement. But we wish him well and look forward to his return to the PGA Tour in the future,” the PGA Tour said in a statement.
Great interview …. no better sight in LOI football than Derek Pender tearing up the right wing
@Tom Beary: beg to differ,,,,Mr beattie and company would have different views
Just because its a big club doesn’t mean Jack s**t. Get over the sense of entitlement, the reason they are not top of the table is because they haven’t the players or management.
The same could be said to Shamrock Rovers but you don’t hear them moaning about it. Get the fook over yourselves and show the rest of the league that you really want it. If you are good enough and want it enough you might just get somewhere.
Ask Dundalk or Cork ffs!!!
@Patrick Kavanagh: He doesn’t moan at all that Bohs aren’t top of the table, Patrick. In fact he says the exact opposite, repeatedly. He says that their aim is to avoid relegation, and anything more than that is a bonus.
And when he says Bohs are too big to go down, he obviously isn’t speaking literally. He means that it would be a shame for one of the largest and most successful clubs in the league to go down. But it doesn’t look like they will anyway. Even with their team of part timers they’re doing better than full time teams like Sligo and Pats.
I hasten to add that I am confident that 99% of Bohemian football fans would agree with the above comment!
The league needs a resurgence of the Dublin teams
@Jah: no it doesn’t less Dublin teams maybe.
@Jah: and they need to hurry,doldrums last few years,loi needs competitive Dublin teams or it’ll be city,Dundalk,city , Dundalk,etc,etc
@Ultan: ha,ha,devil
Love it Pender, proper leader