2022 was a year that Dustin Johnson won't forget in a hurry. Indeed, the Columbian-born golfer ended the season having racked up an eye-watering $35,637,767 in prize money. It was, however, a year that would come with its own set of unique trials and tribulations, given that the South Carolinian won the money while playing on the newly launched LIV Tour.
For those not up to speed with the ongoing conversation around the Saudi-backed golf league, it is an enterprise that divides opinions after many of the PGA's star players turned their back on the traditional tour in order to chase the lucrative checks that the rebel league was offering.
In Johnson's case, it was, as these astonishing numbers clearly indicate, a decision that paid off but it’s worth noting that even if the 38-year-old hadn't won a dime in prize money on the LIV Tour this season, it wouldn't have necessarily mattered when you take into account that the 38-year-old was handed a $125 million signing on bonus in early June by the Saudis in return for his commitment to the league.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>”Victory for Dustin Johnson!” <br><br>No other words needed <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVGolf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#LIVGolf</a> <a href=”https://t.co/VMT4bFDUBa”>pic.twitter.com/VMT4bFDUBa</a></p>— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LIVGolfInv/status/1607821475091709962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Yes, Johnson earned a fortune in 2022 but as initially touched on, it has come at the cost of giving up other privileges. Below, we’ll look at the events where Johnson is still permitted to play in 2023.
DJ set to face the Ryder Cup music
To begin with, any player that left the PGA Tour to pursue a career in the LIV Golf league was automatically banned from competing in the Ryder Cup. This presents a potential problem for Johnson as the next edition of golf's greatest team event is set to be hosted on the outskirts of Rome in late September 2023. As things stand, the two-time major winner will not be eligible to play and therefore won't be catching a flight to the Eternal City where the eyes of the world will be focused for a week. Of course, some may argue that this is a price worth paying in order to be able to accumulate the untold wealth that LIV is offering but when the first tee shot is hit at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the reality of Johnson's decisions may be acutely felt.
Johnson is eligible to play in all of the 2023 majors
On the other hand, the good news is that Johnson's fans from South Carolina and around the world will be able to watch him at the 2023 Masters at Augusta National. Indeed, contracted LIV golfers have been given special exemptions to compete in the spring major but Johnson, of course, didn't need one as he is a past champion having won his maiden green jacket in 2020 which means that he has secured his playing rights to the tournament until he retires.
Interestingly, Johnson is at just +2000 to win the 2023 event which makes him one of the outright favorites. With this in mind, you can, all of a sudden, see how a jaw-dropping subplot could develop on Augusta's hallowed fairways as the prodigal son returns to win golf's greatest major. For those fans who think Johnson could repeat his 2020 heroics and win in 2023, this Bet365 bonus code, which ensures punters get a $200 bonus when they bet $1, can be used to back the South Carolinian during the Masters.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>What a great season on <a href=”https://twitter.com/LIVGolfInv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@LIVGolfInv</a> with the team! Time to rest up for next year. <a href=”https://t.co/bKqmYd7UrR”>pic.twitter.com/bKqmYd7UrR</a></p>— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DJohnsonPGA/status/1588151155791728646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>November 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Encouragingly, Johnson will be eligible to play in every major until 2025 given that his win at the Masters earned him a five-year exemption to all of the majors. Essentially, this means that for the foreseeable future, fans will be able to watch the 38-year-old in action at the PGA Championship, US Open, and then The Open.
The show will go on in 2023 for DJ
In between the majors, Johnson will, naturally, compete on the LIV Tour when they hold their events but his PGA Tour ban will not allow him to take part in some of golf’s most iconic tournaments. Admittedly, it is a schedule that some will frown upon but that won’t bother South Carolina’s most famous golfer who is set to compete for golf’s biggest purses in 2023.
