Dustin Johnson issues response to suffering LIV | Golf News

Dustin Johnson has called upon reserve participant Miguel Tabuena to fill in for Patrick Reed after he walked away just before the new LIV Golf season.

Johnson had locked in his lineup with Reed and Belgian duo Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters, but he has been pressured to scramble for a alternative.

Efforts to do so before Wednesday’s first spherical at Riyadh Golf Club have confirmed unsuccessful, with the workforce pressured to flip to Tabuena.

The Filipino is one of LIV’s contracted reserve gamers after an spectacular 2025 season on the Asian Tour’s International Series. 

The 31-year-old, a four-time winner on the Asian Tour, completed third in the order of benefit, narrowly lacking out on a full-time LIV contract. 

But he will get his probability to make a title for himself in Saudi Arabia this week, although it’s set to be a fleeting alternative with Johnson and the 4Aces still looking out for Reed’s long-term alternative. 

Tabuena is one of three reserve gamers set to characteristic in LIV’s opener, with Phil Mickelson absent for the first two occasions due to household causes. 

Lee Westwood will also miss the tournaments in Saudi Arabia and Australia after suffering a wrist injury. Ollie Schniederjans and Ben Schmidt will fill in for Mickelson and Westwood, respectively.

Speaking shortly after asserting his PGA Tour comeback plans, Reed insisted there have been no arduous emotions in direction of LIV or the 4Aces.

“I mean, I’ve really enjoyed all my time out there on LIV. It’s been a blast,” Reed said. “I learned a lot when I was out there playing and hopefully my 4Aces and the team can go out and win everything. I mean, I’ll still be pulling for them and watching them.

“But I’m actually excited. Really excited to be out right here taking part in DP World Tour, like always, and actually excited to get back to the PGA Tour and start taking part in close to home.

“But I’m just really grateful and thankful to have the opportunity to play everywhere around the world like I have, and now we’re starting a new chapter, and I can’t wait for it to get really rolling.”