Dustin Johnson “emphatically denies” making Jay Monahan remark

Dustin Johnson has dismissed reports that he made uncharitable remarks about the PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan following the LIV Golf event in Adelaide at the weekend.

The Australian Associated Press (AAP) erroneously claimed the two-time major champion responded to a question about how Monahan might feel about the success of the tournament by replying: “We don’t give a damn how he feels. We know how he feels about us, so it’s mutual.”

The AAP’s report was subsequently reproduced by several other media organisations.

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However, according to a senior LIV official, the comments were actually made by Johnson’s 4 Aces teammate Pat Perez.

In a statement posted on social media this evening, Johnson’s agent, David Winkle, set the record straight.

“Earlier today, multiple outlets reported an erroneous quote from Dustin Johnson, which contained disparaging remarks about the PGA Tour and specifically commissioner Jay Monahan,” wrote Winkle.

“I spoke with Dustin from Singapore this morning at which time he emphatically denied making any such statement.

“He elaborated by saying his actual response to the question was ‘no comment’ but mentioned that others interviewed may have answered differently.

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“Dustin remains grateful for his time on the PGA Tour and has the utmost respect for commissioner Monahan.”

Johnson finished tenth in Adelaide as he continued his excellent start to life on the LIV Golf League.

The former world No.1 claimed the season-long Individual Champion crown in the inaugural year of the Saudi-funded enterprise by a comfortable margin – winning the Boston event in the process – whilst his 4Aces team won four regular-season events and the Team Championship.

The fifth event of the 2023 LIV season takes place at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore this week.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor