Golf fans divided after hearing shock Dustin Johnson announcement ahead of PGA
LIV Golf superstar and two-time major champion Dustin Johnson has received a last-minute invite to compete in the PGA Championship.
Just when it looked as though Dustin Johnson was about to miss out on a first major championship since slipping down a staircase at the 2017 Masters, the PGA of America has invited the two-time major champion into next week's PGA Championship.
Per Flushing It, former World No.1 Johnson, 40, has received an invite into golf's second major of the season at Quail Hollow Club alongside fellow LIV Golf players David Puig and Tom McKibbin.
DP World Tour pro Elvis Smylie has also been handed a late invite into the PGA Championship.
Johnson has only missed five majors since making his major debut at the 2008 U.S. Open.
Johnson won his first major at the 2016 U.S. Open before adding his second when slipping on the famous Green Jacket during a Covid-hit Masters in 2020.
Per Flushing It, "Johnson’s exemption for his 2020 Masters win ended last season because the category is “last five winners of the Masters”, meaning Rory’s win this year is the fifth.
"This continues a list of players on the LIV Golf League being awarded a late invite to next week’s event."
Johnson was one of the first big-name players to leave the PGA Tour and join the Saudi-bankrolled LIV Golf League in the summer of 2022.
He won 24 times on the PGA Tour, and he has since added three wins on LIV Golf.
The big-hitting American reportedly signed a $200m deal to become the captain of 4Aces GC.
Many critics consider Johnson's golf career is winding down.
Johnson's former golf coach Butch Harmon, who used to work with Tiger Woods, is "not sure he's 100% committed" any longer.
Our very own Ben Smith also thinks DJ looks "completely finished".
Johnson has made it clear in the past he intends to have a short golf career so he can spend more quality time with his wife Paulina Gretzky and become a "sports dad".
Johnson has picked up just two top-10 finishes in seven LIV Golf League events so far this season.
He missed the cut at The Masters on 3-over par last month following rounds of 74 and 73.
Johnson's late invite into the PGA Championship has certainly ruffled a few feathers on golf social media.
Some fans applaud the PGA of America's decision to invite "a golf legend" into their tournament.
Others aren't quite so sure he should have been invited though, and think an "inevitable MC" is on the way.
Johnson has missed the cut in four of his last six majors.
As a result of his decline in the majors, and no longer picking up OWGR on LIV Golf, Johnson looks on from the 751st rung of the world ladder.
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