What Happened to Dustin Hunter Johnson?
Dustin Johnson is an American professional golfer who achieved significant success on the PGA Tour, including two major championships (2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters) and a stint as the world's number one ranked player. In 2022, he became one of the most prominent golfers to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, where he continues to compete and has signed a multi-year extension as of early 2026.
Quick Answer
Dustin Johnson is currently a prominent player and team captain (4Aces GC) in the LIV Golf League, having signed a multi-year contract extension in January 2026. After a challenging 2025 season where he missed cuts in several major championships, Johnson is participating in the 2026 Masters Tournament, leveraging his past victories for exemptions. He continues to seek high-level competition within the LIV Golf framework, despite a drop in his Official World Golf Ranking due to the lack of ranking points for LIV events.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Turns Professional
Dustin Johnson turns professional after a successful amateur career, earning his PGA Tour card later the same year.
First PGA Tour Victory
Wins his first PGA Tour event at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in upstate New York.
Wins U.S. Open
Captures his first major championship at the U.S. Open held at Oakmont Country Club, winning by three strokes despite a controversial penalty.
Achieves World No. 1 Ranking
Becomes the 20th world number one ranked golfer, a position he would hold for 64 consecutive weeks.
Wins FedEx Cup
Secures the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup title, along with a $15 million prize.
Wins Masters Tournament with Record Score
Wins his second major championship at the Masters Tournament by five strokes, setting a new tournament record of 20-under-par 268.
Joins LIV Golf League
Resigns from the PGA Tour to join the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, a move that garners significant attention and financial compensation.
Inaugural LIV Golf Individual Champion
Wins the first-ever LIV Golf Individual Championship, securing an $18 million bonus.
Wins LIV Tulsa
Secures another victory on the LIV Golf circuit at LIV Tulsa.
Wins LIV Las Vegas
Adds a third LIV Golf individual title to his resume with a win at LIV Las Vegas.
Challenging Major Season
Experiences a difficult year in major championships, missing the cut at the Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open, and finishing T23 at The Open.
Signs Multi-Year LIV Golf Extension
Announces a multi-year contract extension with LIV Golf, reaffirming his commitment to the league and his role as captain of 4Aces GC.
T31 at LIV Golf South Africa
Finishes in a six-way tie for 31st at LIV Golf South Africa with a 12-under cumulative score.
Participating in 2026 Masters Tournament
As of today, Dustin Johnson is in the field for the 2026 Masters Tournament, an event he is exempt for as a past champion.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Dustin Hunter Johnson, often known as 'DJ,' rose to prominence in professional golf after turning professional in 2007. He quickly established himself on the PGA Tour, securing his first victory at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in October 2008. Known for his powerful driving and consistent play, Johnson achieved his first major championship win at the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, overcoming a controversial one-stroke penalty during the final round. His career reached a pinnacle in 2017 when he became the world's number one ranked golfer, a position he held for 64 consecutive weeks, the sixth-longest streak in history. In 2020, Johnson dominated the Masters Tournament, winning by five strokes with a record-setting score of 20-under-par 268, securing his second major title and the FedEx Cup championship in the same year.
A significant turning point in Johnson's career came in June 2022 when he announced his resignation from the PGA Tour to join the newly formed LIV Golf League. This move was part of a larger exodus of high-profile golfers drawn by the substantial financial incentives offered by the Saudi-backed circuit, reportedly including a signing bonus of around $125 million. The decision led to his suspension from the PGA Tour and a subsequent decline in his Official World Golf Ranking, as LIV Golf events do not currently award ranking points.
Despite the controversy, Johnson quickly found success in LIV Golf, winning the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Boston in 2022 and leading the individual standings to become the first LIV Golf Individual Champion. He continued his winning ways on the LIV circuit with victories at LIV Tulsa in 2023 and LIV Las Vegas in 2024. As the captain of the 4Aces GC team, he has also led his squad to consistent success in the team standings.
The 2025 season proved challenging for Johnson, as he struggled in major championships, missing the cut at the Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open, with his best major finish being a tie for 23rd at The Open Championship. This period saw his world ranking fall significantly. However, demonstrating his continued commitment to the league, Johnson signed a multi-year contract extension with LIV Golf in January 2026, reaffirming his role as a key figure in the league. As of April 2026, he is participating in the Masters Tournament, an event he is exempt for due to his 2020 victory. His recent performances in the 2026 LIV Golf season include a T31 finish at LIV Golf South Africa and a T10 finish at LIV Golf Singapore, indicating a mixed start to the year.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Dustin Hunter Johnson made different choices?