Dustin Johnson’s Struggles Raise Questions About His Motivation and Form
Once a dominant force in professional golf, Dustin Johnson is now facing intense scrutiny as his performance continues to decline. At the 2025 PGA Championship, Johnson opened with a disappointing score of 78, adding to his poor run of form after missing the cut at the 2025 Masters, where he shot 74 and 73. Despite these struggles, he was granted a special invitation to compete at Quail Hollow, which followed the PGA of America’s eligibility rules. Still, his recent performances have sparked debates about whether he can still compete at the highest level.
DJ what are we doing my dude…. pic.twitter.com/5NpgDkPonP
— Red Harrington (@RedHarrington44) May 16, 2025
<strong>Diminishing Returns Since Joining LIV Golf</strong>
Johnson’s transition to the LIV Golf League came with great financial incentives and lofty expectations. However, his performance in major tournaments has sharply declined. His 78 at the PGA Championship left him far from the cut line, reinforcing doubts about his ability to contend. This pattern has repeated itself—since joining LIV Golf, Johnson has managed only two top-10 finishes and missed the cut in four of the last eleven majors. Critics argue that the less rigorous LIV schedule may be leaving its players underprepared for high-stakes competitions.
<strong>Controversy Over Special Invitation</strong>
Johnson’s current global ranking of 751 didn’t stop the PGA of America from extending him a special invite. Officials justified the decision by emphasizing the goal of assembling the most competitive field possible, including notable LIV golfers. However, some in the golf world argue that such invitations should be based on recent performance, not past glories.
<strong>Fan Reactions Reflect Growing Disillusionment</strong>
The golf community hasn’t been silent about Johnson’s ongoing slump. Social media is filled with sarcastic and critical commentary, with many fans suggesting Johnson has mentally checked out of professional competition. One fan quipped, “DJ, what are we doing, my dude…,” while another bluntly said, “Dustin Johnson is for all intents and purposes retired from competitive golf.” The sentiment that Johnson has prioritized money over competition has grown, especially since he has only achieved modest success in LIV events this season, placing tied for 5th in Singapore and tied for 7th in Mexico City.
<strong>From World Number One to Fading Star</strong>
Once ranked number one in the world—holding the top spot for 135 weeks overall—Johnson’s standing has plummeted due to the exclusion of LIV events from the Official World Golf Ranking system. As a result, he now sits outside the top 300. Since 2022, Johnson’s performance in majors has declined significantly, with finishes like T10 at the 2023 U.S. Open and missed cuts at the 2023 Open and 2025 Masters.
<strong>Is It the End of Johnson’s Competitive Era?</strong>
Many fans now believe Johnson’s time as a top competitor is over. Comments like, “Dustin Johnson has gone from #1 player in the world to someone who got that dirty LIV money and couldn’t give a single [expletive] anymore,” reflect a widespread belief that he’s no longer driven to win. Another fan mocked, “DJ Enterprises, we’re currently not accepting scores under par ever again,” implying he has mentally retired despite still playing.
The ongoing debate centers around whether Johnson has traded his competitive spirit for financial security. While he was once celebrated as one of the game’s best, recent performances have left fans nostalgic for the player he used to be, with many now convinced that his peak is behind him.