Dustin Johnson reveals he ‘hasn’t read ANYTHING’ about PGA Tour’s new $3billion deal that plunges LIV Golf’s rebels into more uncertainty… former world No 1 says: ‘I don’t see why I would be bothered’

The Strip is starting to sparkle again: dark clouds have parted and drizzle no longer threatens to dampen Las Vegas’ long party ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. However, fog lingers at the nearby Country Club.

LIV Golf landed here shrouded in uncertainty after it was announced last week that Strategic Sports Group – a conglomerate of sports team owners – had struck a $3 billion investment deal with the PGA Tour.

It comes eight months after golf’s old order agreed a proposed merger with LIV’s Saudi backers, the Public Investment Fund. It leaves the rebels in purgatory. A clearer picture was yet to emerge at the shotgun start on Thursday.

But if this would sow doubt and fear among the field in Las Vegas, no one told Dustin Johnson.

His reaction to the news? “To be honest, I have no idea,” the two-time major winner says bluntly. “I mean, obviously I know the gist of it: it’s a group investing some money into the tour… but that’s about as far as it goes. I haven’t read anything about it.’

The former world number 1 spoke to DailyMail.com ahead of this week’s LIV Golf event in Las Vegas

Just a few hours earlier, Jon Rahm had spoken honestly about his struggles and his hopes to play in PGA and DP World Tour events again. DJ couldn’t seem less busy. “No, I don’t see why I would be,” he says, chuckling. Some might argue that he became the face of the Saudi-backed breakout – after all, his $125 million defection proved crucial.

Or perhaps, as Mail Sport notes, because this deal brings more uncertainty about the future of his sport. “Yes,” says Johnson. The former world number 1 heaves a sigh. ‘I don’t know enough what it’s about. So it’s hard to talk about it… LIV, I think we’re in a really good place. And our future looks bright. Obviously at some point hopefully we can all get along.”

The 39-year-old continued: “Golf is a bit divided at the moment, I think. And we need to come together a little more. Then it will be better for everyone.’ Not exactly the most exciting stuff.

Some of Johnson’s fellow professionals fought exhaustingly to shape the future of golf. Some of his fellow rebels had sleepless nights considering joining LIV, amid accusations of sportswashing and questions about what it would mean for their careers – and their reputations.

Since his dramatic turnaround in 2022, Johnson has rarely tried to disguise his reasons for quitting the PGA Tour after 15 years and about $75 million in earnings. As he once said: ‘Play less, make more money. Pretty easy.’ What if you didn’t accept such an offer? “There’s something wrong with you,” he said.

So perhaps this shrug shouldn’t surprise anyone: his motivations may be hard to digest for some, but they’re not always hard to decipher.

Since joining LIV, Johnson has spent more time at home with his wife, Paulina Gretzky

The couple have two children, Tatum (9) and River (6), with Johnson helping them coach sports

“I can actually spend some time at home, which is nice,” Johnson said. ‘People always ask, “Are you going somewhere out of season?” I’m like, “No, being home is actually like being on vacation.” Because we only travel. For the past fifteen years, this is all I’ve done. You’re home for a few weeks here, there for a few weeks… it’s nice to have some quality time at home.’

Johnson admits he had barely collected his clubs before last week’s season opener in Mexico, where even he was ‘quite surprised’ by a fifth-place finish. After all, his free time has opened more doors. “I coach my kid’s basketball and baseball teams,” Johnson says. “So that’s a big advantage.”

The 39-year-old was a phenomenal athlete growing up. DJ’s brother and caddy, Austin, thinks he could have earned scholarships for a number of sports other than golf. Tatum (9) and River (6) can also be quite useful.

“We lost in the baseball championship and in basketball we lost in the semifinals,” Coach Johnson said. ‘So we had quite a team. That’s probably the best part about it: being at home, coaching the kids. Actually, do normal adult things.” Someone nearby suggests the team might have won with a better coach. “No nonsense, right?” Johnson laughs. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce watched DJ during the 2021 Masters in Augusta

Johnson kisses his wife Paulina – daughter of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky – after a round

On Sunday, DJ can enjoy a season finale without worrying about the outcome. LIV’s three-day tournament ends Saturday, 24 hours before the Super Bowl kicks off across The Strip at Allegiant Stadium. Johnson will be among the crowd. He’s been coming to Vegas for years – enjoying a seat at the blackjack table and Japanese food at Bellagio’s Yellowtail. But DJ still has to make a choice between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

‘Who am I advocating for? “I’m not quite sure yet,” he says. “The Niners have a very good team on both sides of the ball. Kansas City, if you would have talked to me six weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought they would have made it to the Super Bowl. But they played really well in the playoffs. And then you want to get your team rolling.”

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce followed DJ around Augusta during the opening round of the 2021 Masters. Now it’s the golfer’s turn to be amazed. He sees himself as a quarterback in another life and jumps at the chance to see Chiefs star Mahomes – “a very special player.”

Johnson still learns a lot from his father-in-law, Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky

Johnson often works with other sports giants and he enjoys studying them as well. “Just by being around them, listening to them, you pick up things that will definitely help you.” An all-time great player will be standing next to Johnson on Sunday. He is married to Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. They have been together for more than ten years, but DJ is still affected by his father-in-law.

“The way he handles himself (and) goes about his business,” he explains. But Johnson gathers most of his information about Gretzky through the Canadian’s old friends. “Wayne is very humble and couldn’t be a nicer guy, but when you talk to them you get more out of what he was really like,” Johnson says.

“Everyone who played with Wayne said he was so good at seeing the game: he knew where the puck was going to go before it got there. That was one of his greatest strengths. He saw it in slow motion.”

Johnson also rarely seems to be in much of a hurry. But it won’t be long before he’s needed elsewhere. So DJ lifts his 6-foot frame out of his chair and saunters toward the course. “I’m quite happy where I am now,” the 39-year-old emphasizes. Apparently it’s going to take more than a little uncertainty to unnerve him.