Dustin Johnson sufferes eleventh-hour LIV Golf | Golf News
Dustin Johnson of the United States performs his second shot on the 14th gap on day two of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 (Image: David Cannon, Getty Images)
Patrick Reed fulfilled all of his media obligations before saying a shock exit from LIV Golf, and it leaves Dustin Johnson with a vital roster emptiness.
Nine-time PGA Tour champion Reed and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka have both departed LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour, with Koepka already making his aggressive comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open, where spectators made their opinions about his presence abundantly clear.
Reed virtually telegraphed his LIV Golf exit while addressing his packed schedule from last yr. He competed 14 instances on LIV, alongside 4 majors and 10 DP World Tour tournaments in 2025. But what’s maybe most surprising is that Reed went through LIV Golf’s preseason and media preparations before then quitting on the eve of the season. And it’s left Johnson in one thing of a gap.
“I’m already playing on three tours, why not add one more?” Reed remarked less than a week before confirming his departure from the Saudi-funded league.
Patrick Reed has left LIV Golf in search of a return to the PGA Tour (Image: undefined)
“I always enjoyed my time out there on the PGA Tour. Let’s be honest, out there, it’s the best tour in the world. Look at what they’ve done in golf … I could see myself playing there at some point again. But right now, you just never know; everything’s so fluid.”
The 2026 LIV Golf marketing campaign kicks off on the first weekend of February in Riyadh, and the 4Aces now face a substantial gap in their lineup as Reed pivots elsewhere and Johnson commits to a multi-year deal with the Saudi-backed operation.
Johnson has notched three LIV Golf victories and recruited defending WM Phoenix Open winner Thomas Detry, but they’re left without Reed as the countdown to opening day accelerates.
“I don’t see me going anywhere else,” Johnson shared with Today’s Golfer, addressing his own future.
Dustin Johnson left with major hole in 4Aces roster (Image: Getty Images)
“I’m happy playing right where I’m at. Would I play a couple events on tour? Sure, there’s few events I that I like. But I like playing LIV, and I like playing around the world, and I’m very happy playing right where I’m at.”
Johnson additional expressed his optimism about the growth of LIV Golf.
“It’s only getting better. We’re going to continue to grow, and the fields keep getting better, too,” Johnson said.
Former PGA Tour champion Detry also weighed in on his resolution to be a part of, praising the distinctive ambiance of the 4Aces crew.
“There’s an amazing vibe around the 4Aces that you feel right away,” Detry remarked. “You can see they play with confidence and there’s a definite swagger coming from all the guys… feeling like you belong on the biggest stages. That’s exactly the type of environment I want to be a part of.”
Two-time major victor Johnson will need to hustle to discover a alternative for the 2018 Masters winner and former Ryder Cup participant.
Reed will not have the chance to compete on the PGA Tour until August 25, 2026, as a non-member, supplied he adheres to PGA Tour guidelines and refrains from collaborating in any unauthorized occasions.
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