Johnson Takes Leave From Golf

{fshare id=5393}

PGA Tour player Dustin Johnson cited “personal challenges” on Thursday as the reason for his decision to take a leave of absence from golf.

Johnson announced that he will seek professional help, but there was no indication how long he would be away from the tour. He will miss the PGA Championship next week and the Ryder Cup matches in Europe on Sept. 28-30.

The 30-year-old Johnson currently is No. 5 in the Ryder Cup standings for the U.S. team. The top nine receive automatic berths.

“I am taking a leave of absence from professional golf, effective immediately,” Johnson said in a statement. “I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced.

“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.”

David Winkle, president of Hambric Sports Management, confirmed that Johnson will not participate in the PGA Championship or the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Scotland.

“We will certainly miss Dustin Johnson at Gleneagles and we

wish him the best,” U.S. captain Tom Watson said. “As one of the longest hitters in the game with an undefeated record of 3-0 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. 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.”

Fellow PGA players clearly were disappointed to learn about Johnson’s leave.

“It’s a big blow for the tour,” Justin Rose said. He’s always been a charismatic player and popular player out here. He’s not going to play 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. Wish him all the best. He’s a friend of mine. Yeah, didn’t really know that that was on the cards.”

Johnson withdrew Monday from the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. He tied for 12th in the British Open less than two weeks ago.

“He’s definitely a guy you want on the team,” said Ricky Fowler, who is No. 4 in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings. “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.”

Johnson, considered one of the longest hitters in golf, has won eight times on the PGA Tour.

“We have nothing to add to Dustin’s statements but wish him well and look forward to his return to the PGA Tour in the future,” the PGA Tour said in a statement.