by Jeff Skinner
Dustin Johnson has announced that he is taking an immediate leave of absence from professional golf. His agent released a statement effectively ending his 2014 golf season.
“I am taking a leave of absence from professional golf, effective immediately. 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.”
The eight time PGA Tour winner was in the midst of a very good season. He currently sits at 4th on the FedEx Cup points list and had locked up a Ryder Cup spot. He also informed the PGA of America that he would not play in the Ryder Cup in September.
Johnson is a very popular player among his peers on the PGA Tour and he and fiancé Paulina Gretsky are very active in social media.
This will lead to much speculation as to the root of his problems. Some speculate that the PGA Tour may have suspended the 30 year old professional. The PGA Tour said it would not add anything to Johnson’s statement.
If it is performance enhancing drugs the PGA Tour would have announced the suspension as it did with Vijay Singh. The Tour has a policy of not publicizing any other suspensions.
From his statement he referenced his “mental health, physical well-being and emotional foundation” and that pretty well covers everything.
Whether it is a substance abuse issue, an emotional problem or whatever Johnson deserves a chance to get his act together in private.
Unfortunately, he probably won’t be able to. Our society insists on knowing the intimate details of any celebrity that has a problem.
I am hoping DJ can conquer his issues and come out a better person. For a young man with his talent and potential for such a grand life to struggle like this is disheartening.
Hopefully he is doing the things needed to help himself out. As far as I am concerned he can do it in peace.
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