For the first time in his illustrious career, Dustin Johnson’s impressive streak in the Open Championship is about to be over…
Dustin Johnson has been ubiquitous at Open Championships ever since making his debut as a 24-year-old at Turnberry back in 2009.
The two-times major winner, however, will not be teeing it up at Royal Birkdale for his 17th straight bid for a Claret Jug next month.
Johnson, who has fallen precipitously down the world rankings since joining LIV Golf four years ago, has made every single cut in a major this season, an upturn after missing three out of the four big weekends in 2025.
But Johnson, now the world no.210, had no route to return to golf’s oldest major other than entering Final Qualifying, the 36-hole marathon held across four venerable links sites across the UK.
The 42-year-old did just that, listed as the headline name in the field at Dundonald Links last week as he considered competing for one of five spots available at the Scottish course.
But by Sunday night, Johnson’s name had been removed from the field list, meaning the American will not be making the transatlantic trip to play in the one-day qualifier.
LIV Golf is currently on an extended seven-week break, with players scrambling to find other tournaments in which they can play to keep sharp during the height of the season.
Johnson, however, is now not set to play until LIV’s return to JCB Golf & Country Club, the week after the world’s best contend for the final major of the year at Birkdale.
Johnson isn’t the only notable name previously listed on the draw to have since disappeared from Final Qualifying.
David Puig, the young Spaniard widely considered to be a major contender of the future, has been removed from the list to play at Royal Cinque Ports.
Johnson’s LIV colleague Carlos Ortiz has also withdrawn from Dundonald, while PGA Tour player Christiaan Bezuidenhout is no longer in the field at Burnham & Berrow.
Yet there is still plenty to be excited about. A host of major champions and Ryder Cup players are primed to contend for a place at Birkdale.
