Formerly regarded as one of golf’s most formidable rivals, Dustin Johnson’s recent setbacks have caused some to doubt his motivation and form. Johnson had a dismal first-round score of 78 at the PGA Championship, continuing his troubles after missing the cut at the 2025 Masters with scores of 74 and 73.
Despite being given a special invitation to play at Quail Hollow, he followed the eligibility requirements set forth by the PGA of America. Since entering the LIV Golf League, though, his performance has cast doubt on his ability to compete. Let’s take a closer look at the roots of Johnson’s competitive decline and the controversy surrounding his PGA Championship invitation.
Dustin Johnson’s Career ‘Over’ Taunts amid Poor PGA Championship showing
High expectations and significant financial incentives accompanied Dustin Johnson’s entry into the LIV Golf League. However, he has performed significantly poorly in major competitions since joining. Like his earlier Master’s exit, Johnson’s opening round score of 78 in the 2025 PGA Championship put him well outside the anticipated cut line. His ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport has come under scrutiny due to this habit.
Despite Johnson’s recent form and global ranking of 751, the PGA of America’s decision to send him a special invitation caused controversy in the golf community. The decision was justified by officials, who emphasized the goal of putting together the strongest field possible, which included well-known figures from the LIV circuit. Critics counter that these invites must be given based on merit, considering recent accomplishments rather than prior honors.
Johnson’s difficulties are not unique occurrences. He has only finished in the top 10 twice since switching to LIV Golf, and he has missed the cut in four of the eleven majors. These figures have sparked discussions concerning how LIV Golf’s schedule and organization affect players’ preparedness for essential competitions, which point to a larger pattern of diminishing performance. As Johnson’s struggles on the course continue, fans haven’t held back in expressing their frustration—and even mockery—online.
Fans React Mockingly to Johnson’s Performance
The golf community’s views on Dustin Johnson’s recent exploits have not been silenced. The comments made on social media platforms, while sometimes humorous, reveal a growing sense of disillusionment among followers. “DJ, what are we doing, my dude….,” said one admirer, expressing the confusion and frustration that many who had admired Johnson’s talent felt. Another stated, “Dustin Johnson is for all intents and purposes retired from competitive golf,” representing a rising opinion among observers and supporters, particularly in light of his most recent performances. Since joining the LIV Golf League, Johnson has been less active in major tournaments. He finished 12-over par in 152nd place in the PGA Championship and missed cuts at the 2025 Masters. Also, Statements such as “This has been Dustin Johnson in majors since going to LIV. He got paid and doesn’t give a [expletive] anymore. Respect it,” strengthen the idea that Johnson has put money above competitive performance. With just two top-10 finishes—a tie for fifth at LIV Singapore and a tie for seventh at LIV Mexico City—and scores of 204 (-9), Dustin Johnson’s 2025 LIV Golf season has been inconsistent. However, his results in big competitions have been lackluster; he scored 72 in the current PGA Championship opening round and missed the cut in the Masters. Such comments suggest the lucrative LIV contract may have undermined his desire to win in traditional tournaments.
DJ what are we doing my dude…. pic.twitter.com/5NpgDkPonP
— Red Harrington (@RedHarrington44) May 16, 2025
One fan added, “I can’t say I blame Dustin Johnson……but he got to LIV and shut down the shop. Thank you for calling DJ Enterprises, we’re currently not accepting scores under par ever again.” This sarcastic comment emphasizes the idea that Johnson’s competitive advantage has diminished since switching to LIV Golf. The statement, “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 about golf. Just going through the motions out there,” beautifully captures the player’s transition from world number one to one who appears to be disconnected from the demands of professional golf. DJ first ascended to the world No. 1 ranking on February 13, 2017, maintaining that position for 64 consecutive weeks. Over his career, he held the top spot for a total of 135 weeks, ranking third all-time in duration. His last stint as No. 1 concluded on July 12, 2021. Since joining LIV Golf in 2022, Johnson’s world ranking has plummeted because the official World Golf Ranking system did not recognize the league’s events, contributing to his current position outside the top 300.
Observations such as “What has happened to Dustin Johnson? Ever since he went LIV he’s been horrible in majors!” further fuel concerns about Johnson’s downfall. This reflects a larger worry about how players’ readiness for major events is affected by LIV Golf’s structure and quality of competition. Since joining LIV Golf, Johnson’s major performances declined: T10 at the 2023 U.S. Open, T48 at the 2023 Masters, T55 at the 2023 PGA, missed the 2023 Open cut. The fan’s declaration that “it’s safe to say that Dustin Johnson’s competitive golf career is over” is arguably the most conclusive. Although bleak, this feeling captures the increasing perception that Johnson’s reign of supremacy is over and that supporters should instead focus on his past accomplishments rather than looking forward to his future successes.
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