Dustin Johnson insists Donald Trump’s presence at LIV Golf is NOT a distraction as he reveals his “nice friendship” with the former president
Dustin Johnson stressed that the uproar and excitement created by Donald Trump’s presence at LIV Bedminster was not a distraction.
Johnson takes part in the LIV Golf event at the former President’s golf course in New Jersey while the breakaway plays at the Trump National Bedminster for the second straight year.
The American shot his way to third place after the opening round of tournament 11 of the 2023 LIV season on Friday, completing the first three holes under the watchful eye of Trump.
The 45th President watched Johnson on the first tee and followed his group through the first three holes before retiring to the hospitality area of the event.
Johnson revealed it wasn’t the first time he’d shared fairways with the 77-year-old.
Dustin Johnson stressed that Donald Trump’s presence at LIV Golf was not a distraction
The former president was at the first tee when Johnson and his playing partners teed off on Friday
Johnson later revealed that he and Trump had developed a “nice friendship” over the years
“I’ve known President Trump for quite a while,” he told reporters after his opening round.
“I won Doral when it was there, with Trump.” He’s in Palm Beach, so we play some golf together. “We’ve had a beautiful friendship over the years.”
Crowds crowded around the first tee to catch a glimpse of Trump as he watched Johnson tee off alongside last week’s winners Bryson DeChambeau and Henrik Stenson.
The former president waved to fans in the stands and chatted with the pros before the shotgun start.
Johnson insisted, however, that the fanfare and party atmosphere didn’t put him off his game.
“For me, there are no distractions,” he said when asked if the president’s presence or the music influenced his thinking. “The only thing that can distract me is myself.”
Trump trailed Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Henrik Stenson for the first three holes
“Whether I’m playing LIV, a big PGA TOUR event, whatever it is, I always feel the same on the first tee just because I want to play well.” Nerves, but it’s like good nerves just because I do it well want to do. But yes, I feel the same way every time I tee off.”
He and his team, the 4Aces, won the team event at LIV Bedminster last year and will look to repeat that success again this weekend.
Johnson and Patrick Reed both started with opening rounds of three under 68 and were tied for third on the leaderboard after round one.
Their contributions help the team hold a three-under-a-shot lead behind individual leader Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC.