PGA urged to reveal reason for Dustin ban
The fallout from the on-going controversy continues to overshadow this week’s WGC–Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Moments after England’s Justin Rose set about capturing a third Tour title in four events by going into the clubhouse lead in the $9 million event, one of golf’s leading websites — www.golf.com — reported Johnson had been suspended by the Tour for six months for recently failing a third drugs test.
The website indicated Johnson has now failed tests for marijuana in 2009 and two for cocaine, in 2012 and 2014. He was suspended for the 2012 failed test, although the PGA Tour never made that suspension public.
The NFL is still reeling from news Balitmore Raven running back Ray Rice has been suspended for two games after allegedly knocking his fiancée unconscious at an Atlantic City Casino last February.
However, the PGA Tour is the only leading sports body in the US that will not announce suspensions or disciplinary actions against players for similar actions or for the use non performance-enhancing drugs.
Johnson’s absence will mean missing out on next week’s USPGA Championship, the lucrative FedEx Cup Play-Off series plus the Ryder Cup.
However, how will event organisers of the November 6-starting WGC–HSBC Champions event explain Johnson’s absence from the defence of his Shanghai title if in fact Johnson is out for six months?
McIlroy spoke, albeit briefly, ahead of his second round in Akron saying: “It’s disappointing Dustin won’t be at Gleneagles as his length off the tee is one of the strengths of the American team.
“But all I can say is that we all see him getting back to golf sooner rather than later.”
Rose, who shot a second-round 67 to move to eight under par, agreed the USA team will miss Johnson’s firepower.
“Dustin will be certainly missed on one side competing at Gleneagles but then he’s played in two Ryder Cups and I know at Medinah he was very dominant,” said Rose.
“He’s a great fourball player given the distance he’s hitting it and he’s played well in the Major championships.
"Dustin also has that ice in his veins mentality, so sure he will be missed plus he’s got that firepower that seems to be a trait on US Teams.
“Like everyone I was surprised to hear the news and that was a big statement he made, and it didn’t leave much to the imagination but then I wish him well.”
Fellow American Zach Johnson, and eighth on Tom Watson’s team table, took news of Johnson’s Gleneagles omission very hard, declaring “it stinks”.
“It’s extremely unfortunate and I feel for him. I feel also for his family. I feel for his team, those that are associated with him because they’ve done a lot of good work this year,” said the 2007 Masters champion.
“Granted, I get called Dustin every other hole out here for some reason, and it’s not because of my drives either.
“But I feel for him. I mean, I want him on the Ryder Cup team. But that’s selfish side coming out of me.
“It just stinks. It really, really stinks.”
Tiger Woods, who is desperately seeking to qualify automatically for Gleneagles, expressed his shock.
“I’ve been his partner in the Presidents Cup in Australia, and the firepower that he has, it’s pretty cool to be around. It’s not too often you see the guy carry the ball 320 without even trying.”
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