Dustin Johnson was LIV Golf’s first individual champion and money earner in 2022, but as far as the 2023 season goes, he still wasn’t the main draw for some fans.
Johnson finished 5-under-par at LIV Tucson over the weekend, good enough for 13th on the leaderboard just ahead of Taylor Gooch. Danny Lee was the winner of the tournament after defeating Carlos Ortiz and Brendan Steele in a tiebreaker.
At least one fan seemed interested in something other than golf at the event.
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Dustin Johnson looks on during the LIV Golf Invitational pro-am ahead of the LIV Golf Invitational Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 23, 2023 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Janet Gretzky, Johnson’s mother-in-law, shared a photo on her Instagram of a t-shirt from a fan who was genuinely interested in seeing Paulina Gretzky. The fan made his intentions very clear with a message stamped on it.
«Hey DJ, we came to see Paulina LIV 2023,» the T-shirt read with a photo of Paulina Gretzky in a bikini.
Paulina Gretzky is the daughter of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and has been with Johnson for several years. The two got married in 2022.
In the new Netflix docuseries «Full Swing,» which follows some of the best golfers in the world on both tours, Gretzky spoke in depth about Johnson’s move to LIV Golf.
Paulina Gretzky, now the wife of Dustin Johnson, reacts on the 18th green after Johnson won the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Patricio Smith/Getty Images)
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«I don’t think Dustin would ever make a bad decision for his kids, and people have to understand at the end of the day, that’s why he chose this,» Paulina explained.
Their two children, Tatum and River, are 8 and 5 years old, respectively. One of the main advantages of joining LIV Golf is the fact that Johnson doesn’t have to play as many events a year. In addition, he only plays three rounds per tournament, which means 54 holes, compared to 72 on the PGA Tour.
Paulina Gretzky, now the wife of golfer Dustin Johnson, looks on during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 13, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
However, the biggest draw for those wanting to join LIV Golf was the payments. Players like Johnson got guaranteed money up front to join the controversial tour, and there are guaranteed payouts per event, even if a player misses the cut.
However, family time is certainly a big factor in why Johnson moved on.
«Of course, I understand what everyone says, but my father, who is a hockey player, I’m sure when I was a kid, there were times when I thought: ‘Why does my father have to play on my birthday? ‘ It’s about Dustin, the kids and me, taking care of ourselves and being there for us.
«I’ve had a wonderful career on the PGA Tour, and I’m very proud of it, and always will be,» added Johnson, winner of the 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters. «Obviously, now I’ve taken a different step in my life and career. «.
Paulina Gretzky, wife of 4 Aces GC team captain Dustin Johnson, during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Chicago at Rich Harvest Farms on September 18, 2022 in Sugar Grove, Illinois. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
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The 38-year-old Johnson was reportedly given $125 million to move to LIV Golf, also earning $35 million in earnings in his first season.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.