Big hitting American golfer Dustin Johnson sent shock-waves throughout the PGA Tour on Thursday with a personal statement outlining a leave of absence from the sport effective immediately:
'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 fulfil my potential and become a consistent champion. I respectfully ask for privacy as I embark upon this mission of self-improvement.’
Soon after Golf.com reported that according to a source, Johnson was suspended by the PGA for failing a drugs test. The website also went on to detail that this was Johnson's third failed drugs test and he had been suspended by the PGA in 2012 for a failed test but that was never made public. The PGA is not required to publicly disclose any disciplinary action it takes against players for recreational drug use.
Johnson had claimed that his 11 week absence from the sport in 2012 was due to injury having lifted a jet ski. Golf.com go on to make other, more personal allegations against Johnson saying:
Johnson’s conduct has long been a topic of conversation among close observers of the Tour. He is often seen in bars near his home in Jupiter, Fla., and is also known to have had a sexual indiscretion with at least one wife of a PGA Tour player.
The PGA moved today to deny any reports that Johnson had been suspended, saying in a statement:
This is to clarify that Mr Johnson has taken a voluntary leave of absence and is not under a suspension from the PGA Tour."
But Golf.com amended their story and didn't back down noting that the the PGA's disciplinary procedures essentially allows a player to define an absence.
Fox Sports Golf correspondent Robert Lusetich certaintly didn't hold back on his own twitter feed:
Not a huge secret either that #DustinJohnson had affairs with 2 wives of PGA Tour players. One broke up the marriage.
— Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) August 1, 2014
Last time #DustinJohnson was drugs tested was @usopengolf at Pinehurst. A Tour player who saw him says "his face turned white".
— Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) August 1, 2014
And here's his reaction to the news on Fox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zgTk0LOfOg
Johnson will miss next weeks PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup - for which he was an almost certainty to play for the U.S - among other tournaments.
