Dustin Johnson has officially resigned from his status as a member of the PGA Tour

The American Dustin Johnsontwo -time champion of a ‘major’ (Open USA and Masters) and dating world number 1confirmed this Tuesday in London that has resigned from the PGA Tour to compete with LIV Golf Invitational inaugural starting this week at Centurion Golf Club of London.

“It’s hard to talk about the consequences that could happen, but I gave up my membership on the PGA Tour and that’s the plan right now,” Johnson told a news conference at Centurion Golf Club, north London, host of the first event. .

The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational, which offers $ 25 million in prize money, will take place outside London starting this Thursday. Johnson said Tuesday that he “had to think carefully” about leaving the PGA Tour, which seems to end his hopes of competing in the Ryder Cup with the United States. “Ultimately, I decided to go in and do it,” Johnson said. “I’m excited about this project. Obviously the Ryder Cup is amazing and something that means a lot to me. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to do it again, but I’m not making rules,” he added.

Johnson, whose last victory came at Saudi International in 2021, is No. 13 in the world, the highest -ranked player of the 48 competing this week. He holds the number 1 spot in the world longer than any player since Tiger Woods. “I chose what was best for myself and my family,” Johnson said, explaining his decision to join the Saudi company led by Greg Norman. Speaking with Johnson, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell said he has not yet relinquished his membership in the PGA. “I don’t think there’s a need,” he said. “I don’t want to be in a legal situation on the PGA Tour,” the Northern Irishman said.

DJ’s decision to voluntarily terminate his link to the PGA Tour was nothing more than a legal maneuver to try to avoid the penalties that could be imposed on him for going to the game on another circuit as a member of the PGA Tour. Another story is the Grand Slams. “I can’t vouch for the majors, but I hope they let us play. Obviously, I’m exempt for the Grand Slams, so I’m going to play them, unless I hear otherwise,” he added.

We need to see the response of Augusta National, PGA of America, USGA and Royal & Ancient. So far, no one has made a strong statement on this matter, be it positive or negative. Of course, last week at Memorial there were top -level meetings between those responsible for the PGA Tour, Augusta National and USGA. And it is that the American circuit is trying to take the Great on their side and ban LIV Golf players from participating in the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and British Open Championship.

In addition to Dustin Johnson and Kevin Na (who resigned on Saturday), they have also relinquished their membership to the PGA Tour. Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwarztel either Branden Grace, Among others. The PGA Tour did not respond to players regarding this request to leave the tour. To say that Sergio García is maintaining his membership on the European Tour. The talks on the European circuit, so far, have been relatively less tense than on the American. In any case, we will have to wait until the tournament starts in London to find out whether the DP World Tour will end up imposing any penalties on its players or not.