Dustin Johnson on Masters LIV dinner tension? "It has nothing to do with us"

Dustin Johnson has become the latest LIV Golf League player to offer his thoughts on possible tension at the 2023 Masters past champions' dinner. 

Ben Smith's picture
Sat, 4 Feb 2023
Dustin Johnson on Masters LIV dinner tension? "It has nothing to do with us"

Dustin Johnson has become the latest pro to offer his thoughts on how the LIV Golf League players will approach this year's past champions' dinner at the Masters

Jon Rahm initially set this discussion off when news filtered through that Augusta National was not banning the LIV Golf League players from the first major of 2023. 

The Spanish World No.3 was posited a question in January about what he was most curious about heading into 2023. 

"I keep thinking about it because I wish I could be there and just be able to see how things work out," Rahm said of the dinner before winning the first elevated event of 2023 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions

"Too bad the U.S. Open doesn't have one of those." 

Other players have also offered their thoughts. 

Phil Mickelson, who has this week taken a fresh dig at Tiger Woods, has said there will be no animosity on his part

Reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler joked he'd planned a separate table for two-time green jacket winner Bubba Watson. 

Watson, 44, who appears to have re-named his LIV Golf League team, had a pretty funny take about Scheffler's comments. 

Now Johnson, speaking to the media after being forced to withdraw from the Saudi International with a back injury, has insisted that he has a "great" relationship with his fellow Masters champions. 

Johnson told the media:

"The Masters, of course, means a lot to me since I first teed-up in 2009 and even more so being fitted by Tiger with the green jacket in 2020. 
"It's also something I want to be a part of forever, so I am always very pleased to play in the Masters.
"I was so honoured to host the dinner in 2021 and each and everyone of us look forward to honouring Scottie this year and that's the great tradition that is Augusta National."

Dustin Johnson's wife Paulina Gretzky at the 86th Masters

So what about the tension, DJ? 

"I heard what was said about possible tension at the dinner but there will not be any tension from me and, besides I still have a great relationship with all my fellow Masters champions, so I don't see why there will be any issues or tension at the dinner.
"If there are any guys saying there may be tension that it has nothing to do with a few of us playing LIV compared to competing on the PGA Tour, as that tension was already there." 

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