Dustin Johnson’s agent David Winkle confirmed on Monday that the two-time major champion is actively seeking new ways to compete at the highest level. This move comes after the breakaway LIV Golf league lost its Saudi backing and faces liquidation. Winkle told reporter Bob Harig that “the wheels are in motion” for Johnson’s next chapter in professional golf.
The 42-year-old American remains eager to play despite a complicated road back to the PGA Tour. He joined LIV in 2022 with a reported $150 million signing bonus and later earned about $65 million in prize money and bonuses. His career includes 24 PGA Tour wins and more than $75 million in career earnings, yet a 12-month suspension blocks an immediate return to the circuit where he last played in August.
The Money and The Ban
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia pulled its reported $5 billion support, and a rescue deal with BC Partners fell apart. The financial collapse puts LIV in liquidation, so players such as Johnson must seek new teams.
Winkle spoke directly to the uncertainty in a text message to Harig on Monday. “Everything is a bit up in the air, but I can tell you he is pursuing paths toward the highest level of competition,” Winkle said, according to GolfMagic. He added that while the details are not set, “Time will tell exactly what that looks like and entails, but the wheels are in motion.”
Johnson sits sixth on the PGA Tour’s all-time money list, 24 PGA Tour victories that usually grant lifetime membership. However, the tour has strict rules about players who leave for rival leagues. CEO Brian Rolapp has stressed that enforcing these rules is key, meaning Johnson cannot assume an automatic spot back in the field.
Options on the Table
Johnson has not publicly criticized the tour since his 2022 departure, which might help his case if reinstatement is considered. His 24 victories and major titles at the 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters give him a strong argument for a return.
The DP World Tour offers a faster route back to competitive play. Reports indicate the European circuit is opening its door to select players who left the PGA Tour. This path could allow Johnson to get back on the course sooner than waiting for the PGA Tour suspension to end.
Winkle insists that retirement is not an option for the former world number one. “Dustin is still very motivated and hungry to compete, so he has no intention of letting up,” Winkle said. He expressed excitement about the future, noting, “I’m actually very excited about the months ahead, wherever they may find him playing.”
A Changing Landscape for LIV Stars
Johnson is not the only star facing an uncertain future after the LIV collapse. Bryson DeChambeau, another major champion who joined the league, offered no regrets about taking the Saudi money but gave no clear plan for his next steps.
Using his major champion exemption, DeChambeau must submit an application for DP World Tour membership before November 15. The initial move to return to the PGA Tour might involve joining that tour. Other players like Jon Rahm have already returned to the DP World Tour, with Rahm winning the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on Sunday.
