2023 Saudi International – Syndication Server

Dustin Johnson withdraws from PIF Saudi International with injury

Johnson, who has battled back injuries in the past, reportedly aggravated his back during a practice round.

Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson pulled out of the Asian Tour’s PIF Saudi International after tweaking his back.

Johnson, 38, was scheduled to play in the first round of the tournament at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club an hour north of Jeddah, but reportedly strained his back during a practice round, skipped the pro-am on Wednesday and was unable to try to win his third title at the event, having won there in 2019 and 2021.

“Two-time champion Dustin Johnson has unfortunately had to withdraw ahead of the first round of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers after tweaking his back,” read a short statement from Asian Tour.

Johnson has battled back injuries in the past, most famously when he withdrew shortly before the 2017 Masters as the favorite to win the Green Jacket. He left the PGA Tour last season and joined LIV Golf, where he won more than $35 million and captained the 4 Aces to the season-ending title. Johnson is expected to play next at LIV’s season-opening event at the Mayakoba Resort in Mexico, Feb. 24-26.

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Report: PGA Tour to grant a ‘few’ releases for Saudi International, scheduled for week of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Things could get a little awkward next month.

During the week of the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is the Saudi International in Saudi Arabia, an Asian Tour event sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. Alas, the same folks backing the LIV Golf series, which is in numerous lawsuits against the Tour, have created a rift in the golf community over the past year.

And, according to a report from Golf Channel, a ‘few’ PGA Tour players have asked and been granted releases to play in the Saudi International, which is scheduled from Feb. 2-5 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

The report didn’t specify exactly how many players were granted conflicting-event and media releases. The event used to be a DP World Tour stop until the emergence of LIV Golf.

Earlier this week, world No. 3 Cameron Smith and 2022 champion Harold Varner III were announced in the field, along with the top-30 ranked players on the Asian Tour.

PGA Tour players and LIV golfers were going to cross paths at points this year, including at Augusta National in three months for the Masters, but they’ll be playing against one another a lot sooner than that.

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