Paulina Gretzky is Dustin Johnson’s wife and has a message to share with those who doubt her husband’s drive. He admitted that the only reason he went to LIV was because he wanted the money.
She said that Dustin is not losing his competitive spirit and she doesn’t think anyone believes this. He is still eager to prove you who the (expletive) is. He’s returning to these majors because he has a reason. He wants to win as much as the others.
Johnson, a Jupiter, Florida resident, and two-time major winner, spoke out on the Netflix Golf Docuseries “Full Swing”, about his main motivation for leaving the PGA Tour.
“It was playing less and making more money that led me to LIV. He said it was very simple. “If someone offers you a job that does the same thing as yours but with less time at work, and they offer them more money, I’m pretty certain you’ll take it. If you don’t, something is wrong with you.
Mission accomplished. Johnson was paid $125 million to be a part of Greg Norman’s league, which is being funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. He also won more than $35,000,000 in prize money at eight LIV events.
Johnson earned $75 million during his career on PGA Tour, before he defected to LIV.
Johnson was asked whether he thinks people doubt him now.
He said, “I don’t really mind.” “I know that I am one of the greatest golfers in the world. It’s something I have proven over a long time. I am there to win when I turn up at a major. My reputation as a professional golfer feels established. “I don’t believe there is anything I can prove.”
Gretzky is the daughter of Wayne Gretzky (NHL Hall of Famer) and said Johnson made his decision because he cares about his family. Johnson and Gretzky got married in April of last year and now have two sons, Tatum, 8 and River, 5.
She said that Dustin wouldn’t make a poor choice for his children. People need to realize at the end of it all, that Dustin chose this for them.
“Officially, I understand what everyone is saying. My dad was a hockey player, so I know there were times as a child when I thought, “Why does my father have to play on my Birthday?” This is Dustin and Dustin, Dustin and the children and Dustin being there for us.
Johnson will play almost as many tournaments per year on LIV now the league has grown to 14 events. The travel will be equally exhausting with six of these events around the globe.
Johnson could still play in four majors as well as a few Asian Tour events – he was forced to withdraw from the Saudi International due to a back injury – Johnson’s LIV schedule will allow him to play almost the same amount of events in 2020-21 as he did during his last full season on the PGA Tour.
LIV launches its second season Thursday Mexico.
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