Dustin Johnson's reaction to first winless season in more than a decade

Dustin Johnson appeared to indicate he had issues with his driver after he brought the curtain down on his first winless season in more than a decade with a missed cut at the Saudi International. 

Johnson has been one of the most successful golfers of the past decade-and-a-half with 22 wins across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and in the major championships. 

He has stepped into the winner's circle every calendar year since 2014 but his poor showing at Riyadh Golf Club this week brought an end Johnson's remarkable streak. 

The American, who won the 2016 US Open at Oakmont and the 2020 Masters, acknowledged to FlushingIt that it was "an up-and-down year". 

He appeared to indicate that his split with TaylorMade also played a role in his struggles, as the 41-year-old found it difficult to get the ball in play as often as would have liked. 

Johnson signed with TaylorMade and spent 18 years with the OEM as an ambassador. GolfMagic exclusively revealed news of the split in February. 

After they parted ways, Johnson put a Titleist GT2 into his bag. 

"I've really struggled with the driver which is generally the best part of my game," Johnson said. "So obviously that puts a lot of pressure on the other parts of your game.

"The weeks I drive it well, I play well [and] I have a chance to win. But, as a whole, I've just struggled with the driver, and I'm just finding something that I get comfortable with.

"I have days where I drive it really well, but I’m having trouble finding a driver that matches up with the rest of the game, [so] I'm hitting irons really, really well and not driving it that great, or I’m hitting the driver good and I’m not hitting irons as good. 

"I'm just trying to get that perfect match, which is what everybody wants. That's when I play my best."

Johnson isn't the only major champion who has struggled on the course this year. 

Former Open champion Cameron Smith missed his sixth cut in a row at the Saudi International and has now sunk to a remarkable 333rd in the Official World Golf Ranking. 

Henrik Stenson, also a former champion golfer of the year, was relegated after finishing 49th in the individual standings. 

The Swede will have the option to earn his spot back in the PIF-backed league via their qualifying school event next January. 

But it is understood Stenson is eyeing up a return to the DP World Tour. 

Telegraph Sport have reported, however, that he will face difficulty getting into Europe's top events owing to an unpublicised rule change in October 2024. 

A Tour insider criticised Stenson, explaining that it should not be forgotten he embarrassed Wentworth HQ for joining LIV after he signed a contract to lead Europe as captain at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. 

For his part, Johnson said he feels good about his game heading into 2026. 

He has reportedly signed a contract extension with LIV and has outlined aspirations to represent the United States in the Ryder Cup when the matches head to Ireland in 2027.

Johnson last appeared in the biennial contest in 2021, going 5-0-0 as Steve Stricker's side inflicted a record 19-9 defeat on Padraig Harrington's Europe at Whistling Straits.

"I wanted to be there," he said of the 2025 contest at Bethpage Black. "I just need to play a bit better and I can be there for Adare.

"I finally feel like I have my game coming back into form. I've got a lot more confidence in it and I am starting to swing it well again.

"I went through about a year where I just wasn't swinging at it very well. But I feel I am now starting to hit a lot of nice shots and feel a lot more consistent. 

"The last few months have been nice."