Former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) withdrew from the Asian Tour PIF Saudi International (total prize money 5 million dollars).
The Asia Tour announced on the 3rd that Johnson gave up the game ahead of the first round of the PIF Saudi International, which opened at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club (par 70) in King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia on the 2nd. 안전놀이터
Johnson, who was active on the American Professional Golf (PGA) tour and moved to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, which was sponsored by Saudi Arabia last year, swept the prize money and top prizes in the first year. In this tournament, he was scheduled to participate in the first tournament of the new year in 2023, but withdrew due to chronic back pain.
Johnson became the first champion of the event in 2019 and won again in 2021. He attempted to win his third championship this time, but was canceled due to injury.
According to Asiantue, Johnson complained of back pain during the practice round and was unable to compete in the pro-am. He tried local treatment, but gave up the game because it did not improve.
Johnson plans to focus on back treatment and compete in the opening game of LIV golf in Mexico on the 25th of next month.
In the first round of the tournament, which started on the 2nd, Abraham Anser (Mexico) took the lead with a 7 under par 63 strokes. Among Korean players, Kim Min-gyu (22) tied for ninth with a 3-under-par 67, and Lee Tae-hee (39) tied for 18th with a 2-under-par 68.