At the PGA Championship, Dustin Johnson continues to search

Charlotte, the two fans were close to the age of golf, whose results were stopped by 40-year-old Dustin Johnson. Djto these friends and millions of other drawn in the laconic way of Johnson and AI-Got-all-The games-shows.

“Man,” one of them said. “He has not been the same since he got that money.”

The meaning of the fan was obvious. Three years ago, at the end of May in 2022, Johnson interrupted ties with PGA Tour and went Liv, with millions guaranteed. According to various reliable news reports-a small number of reporters covered these issues intensely-he signed a four-year deal worth at least $ 125 million in guaranteed money.

Johnson was playing in this PGA championship THEir The empty quil By special exclusion from the organizers of the tournament, the PGA of America. He was making a mess for him.

It may seem like forever after he has won, but this is not the case. Johnson won the Rowdy Boston Liv event in 2022, the Tulsa Liv event in 2023 and the Las Vegas Liv event in 2024. That sounds very good, right?

But you are likely to be more familiar with the 12 major Johnson has played since signing up with Upsart Golf League. Above those 12 events, he had only two endings of Top-10. In April, he lost the cut in Master. That brings us to Charlotte.

Johnson shot a 78 Thursday and a 76 Friday. It was 12 for two rounds and near the end in the 155-player field that includes 20 pro-club. T143, if you are keeping the result at home.

Johnson was in a fascinating trio, with Justin Thomas AND Collin MorikawaBoth former PGA championship winners and close Ryder Cup players in September. (They had their ESPN crew following them during the two days of golf.) Johnson could have been on the Ryder Cup team. America’s PGA, which runs the American side of the Ryder Cup, would love its star power and its power. But the state of Johnson’s game suggests the chances of it to make or solve to KEEGAN BRADLEY’S The American team is scarce. Slim for… extremely few. Enter your paste Dan you yours here.

Once, not too long ago, you might have thought that Johnson would be a staple of the Ryder Cup for the years ahead, and perhaps even a paved, single-game captain. That was then.

Next month, US Open returns to Oakmont. Was the last there in 2016, when Johnson won Between some wildlife debates. (Dustin, made that ball move in five green? No. OK. We will take you with your word. Or maybe not. In any case, we will return to you. Eventually. But it’s a kind of seeming to make that ball move.) No one is the best moment. There is now something people call the rule of Dustin Johnson. If your ball moves to a Green Green, even after you run it, just move it again. No penalties.

Johnson won pandemicWhich means he qualified in the US Open this year in two ways: His open US victory in 2016 gave him a 10 exception to National Open, and his Masters victory gave him a five-year exception. Both expire next year.

Johnson is still strong and bearded and flexible and compelling. He hits him immediately in his face. Johnson’s Caddy is still his brother, Austin. His wife, Paulina Gretzky, was making the scene in Quail. His determined game has completely abandoned him and he was near the end of various setting statistics. His trio was at an hour for much of the second round, and Johnson was not the issue. It is a difficult way to get a golf round when things are already out.

Maybe you want to know:

*Is Dustin Johnson happy that he joined Liv League?

*Do you lack the rush of being in the score in diplomas?

*Do he think he can return his game?

I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know.

Johnson did not speak to reporters after his Thursday or Friday’s round, and who can blame him? Immediately after his second round, Johnson’s closets were cleaned, except for a pair of golf shoes that will end up in the first tee bin and find a home with a big -legged child who is probably dreaming of winning a master or US, but does not dream of a T143 finish in a PGA championship.

At the Liv event in Miami this year, before going to the masters, Johnson was asked about the state of his game compared to five years ago.

“Close is near,” he said. “Of course, I was playing really well at the end of 2020. I feel like it is getting very close to that. Of course, it’s a really good line to be so good or just a little away.”

That was after the purpose of a 69 in Trump Doral. Is it a wonder he was not talking in Quail Hollow? Next month-plus is likely to be a long one for Johnson, the line is so good and all.

Michael Bamberger welcomes your comments in Michael.bamberger@golf.com.

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