Dustin Johnson sends warning to Rory McIlroy despite LIV golfer's ranking drop
Dustin Johnson has put PGA Tour rivals such as Rory McIlroy on notice after winning the LIV Las Vegas trophy last weekend.
The American battled the chilly conditions in Sin City to win by one shot ahead of Peter Uihlein and Talor Gooch. Despite his success, the 39-year-old has fallen to 231 in the world rankings because those who play on the LIV circuit are not awarded ranking points.
But this seems to be the least of Johnson’s worries as he aims to build on his momentum over the next two months heading into the Masters. "Last year I didn’t play very well, to be honest, but it kind of goes with how much effort that goes into it too," Johnson, who won the Masters in 2020, told reporters after his latest victory.
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"Obviously I could have worked a lot harder than I did. This year, I’ve got a little more drive and determination. I don’t enjoy not playing well. I enjoy playing well and being up here and talking to you guys after the weeks over and holding up the trophy."
Johnson began with a birdie on the par-five in Las Vegas but found himself needing to catch up after producing bogeys on the sixth ninth and 11th holes. The former PGA World No. 1 then battled back with birdies at the 13th, 15th and 17th holes, before making a 12-foot shot that led to his closing par on the 18th for victory.
Johnson aims to disrupt Rory McIlroy's quest for a first Masters title and first major in 10 years (Getty Images)That victory means the golf star has claimed a title in each of his first three seasons in LIV. It started by taking the playoffs in Boston in September 2022 before winning in Tulsa, Oklahoma in May 2023.
Johnson is gunning for another Masters win and the chance to wear the Green Jacket once again. Despite his LIV status, the 24-time PGA Tour winner will qualify for all four majors this year courtesy of his triumph in Augusta four years ago. Players qualify for every major for the next five years if they win one of golf's four big titles.
The likes of Masters defending champion Jon Rahm and former winners Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Charl Schwartzel are other LIV golfers expected to play at Augusta. Johnson will hope to disrupt McIlroy's quest to end his 10-year major drought, especially the Masters which is the only major the 34-year-old has yet to win.
Johnson's next trip to Augusta is on the horizon, where he will aim to become just the second player on the LIV series to win a major after defending USPGA champion Brooks Koepka. "The game is feeling in really good form for this early in the year, and so I’m excited for the rest of the year," he added.
"Obviously got a big stretch coming up with Saudi, Hong Kong, come back, Doral, and then the Masters. I want to be in good form for the foreseeable future at least. Got a lot of big tournaments."
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