Johnson Takes Leave Due to 'Personal Challenges'


In a shocking development, Dustin Johnson, an eight-time winner, announced Thursday he will be taking a leave of absence from the PGA Tour for an indefinite period of time.

In a vague prepared statement, the 30-year-old South Carolinian said he was stepping away from competition to tend to personal issues. "I am taking a leave of absence from professional golf, effective immediately," Johnson said, three days after withdrawing from this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, for what he described as "personal reasons."

"I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced," Johnson continued in the statement. "By committing the time and resources necessary to improve my mental health, physical well-being and emotional foundation, I am confident that I will be better equipped to fulfill my potential and become a consistent champion.

"I respectfully ask my fans, well-wishers and the media for privacy as I embark upon this mission of self-improvement."

The decision means that the long-hitting Johnson, currently ranked 16th in the world, won't play on the USA Ryder Cup team. Johnson is currently fifth in the USA's points-based qualifying system, and a virtual lock to make the squad.

The PGA of America has been told by Johnson's representatives that he won't play in the Ryder Cup. The biennial competition against the Europeans takes place in late September at Gleneagles in Scotland.

"We will certainly miss Dustin Johnson at Gleneagles, and we wish him the best," American captain Tom Watson said in a statement. "As one of the longest hitters in the game with an undefeated record of 3-and-0 at Medinah in 2012, he has clearly been an asset for the United States team.

"That said, the United States is a team with an abundance of talent," Watson said. "I am looking forward to teeing it up alongside those players in the PGA Championship at Valhalla, and finding out along with everyone else, which players qualify for the team based on points."

The PGA Tour only had a brief statement about Johnson's sabbatical, saying in a statement, "We have nothing to add to Dustin's statement, but we wish him well and look forward to his return to the PGA Tour in the future."

Players at the Bridgestone Invitational were taken aback by Johnson's announcement. "If anything, I just hope this is the start of something really, really positive," said Zach Johnson (no relation). "And I don't know what happened. I don't know what the specifics are, nor should I know. That's none of my business. I feel for him."

Justin Rose called it "big blow for the Tour . . . He's always been a charismatic player and popular player out," said the 2013 U.S. Open champion. "He's not going to play in the Ryder Cup. That will be a blow for the American team. Just wish him well, whatever he's facing right now. Can't be easy for him."

Rickie Fowler knows what Johnson can do for the Americans' hopes at Gleneagles. "He's definitely a guy you want on the team," Fowler said. "He's a powerful, powerful guy. He's someone that guys don't look past as far as one of the best players out here. So definitely a loss to the team, but just hope for the best for him. It won't be the last Ryder Cup for him."

One unidentified source told the New York Post he wasn't surprised that Johnson may have issues. "It's one of the least-kept secrets on Tour how much [Johnson] likes to party," he said.

Another source told The Post, "He's always lived fast. Maybe he realizes now it's time to slow down."

Johnson has drawn a lot of attention lately with his engagement to Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of former NHL great Wayne Gretzky. The couple has created a high profile on the Internet. A scantily clad Paulina Gretzky appeared on the cover of a recent Golf Digest, which upset some members of the LPGA Tour.