Dustin Johnson breaks from PGA Tour to deal with ‘personal challenges’
Dustin Johnson, the 16th-ranked golfer in the world, announced Thursday that he is taking leave from the PGA Tour to “seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced.”
The eight-time Tour winner has made headlines in the past for more than just sports -- he is engaged to Paulina Gretzky, daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky.
“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,” he said in a statement on the Tour’s website.
He added: “I respectfully ask my fans, well-wishers and the media for privacy as I embark upon this mission of self-improvement.”
No further details were made available.
“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,” PGA Tour officials said in a concurrent release.
The 29-year-old Johnson has played in 17 tournaments this season, winning WGC-HSBC Champions. He withdrew from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational earlier this week.
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