Dustin Johnson insists Donald Trump’s presence at LIV Golf is NOT a distraction as he opens up about his ‘nice friendship’ with the former president
Dustin Johnson insisted that the commotion and excitement caused by Donald Trump’s presence at LIV Bedminster did not create any distractions.
Johnson will compete in the LIV Golf event at the former president’s New Jersey course as the breakaway circuit plays at Trump National Bedminster for a second consecutive season.
The American shot himself into a tie for third place on Friday after the opening round at the 11th tournament of LIV’s 2023 season and did so under Trump’s watchful eye for the first three holes.
The 45th President saw Johnson tee off at one and followed his group for the first three holes before retiring to the hospitality portion of the event.
Johnson revealed it wasn’t the first time he’s shared the fairways with the 77-year-old.
Dustin Johnson insisted Donald Trump’s presence at LIV Golf was not a distraction
The former president was on the first tee as Johnson and his playing partners teed off Friday
Johnson later revealed that he and Trump have built a “fun friendship” over the years
“I’ve known President Trump for 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 golf together a lot. We’ve had a great friendship over the years.’
Crowds swarmed around the first tee box to catch a glimpse of Trump as he watched Johnson tee off alongside last week’s winner Bryson DeChambeau and Henrik Stenson.
The former president waved to supporters in the stands and chatted with the professionals ahead of the shotgun start.
However, Johnson insisted that the fanfare and party atmosphere did not faze him.
“For me, there are no distractions,” he said when asked if the president’s presence or the music playing influenced his mindset. “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 major PGA TOUR event, whatever it is, I always feel the same way on the first tee, just because I want to play well. Nerves, but it’s like good nerves, just because I want to do well. But yes, I feel the same every time on the first tee.’
He and his team, the 4Aces, won the team event at LIV Bedminster last year and will look to repeat their success again this weekend.
Johnson and Patrick Reed both shot themselves into contention with opening rounds of three-under 68 to finish third on the leaderboard after the first round.
Their contributions help the team sit three-under-one shot behind individual leader Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC.