Dustin Johnson Reportedly Suspended from PGA Tour for Cocaine Use
1 Aug , 2014
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It turns out that his problems off the golf course are significantly worse than anyone might have imagined.
Johnson announced Thursday that he was taking a leave of absence from professional golf for personal reasons He has been suspended by the PGA Tour for six months after failing a drug test with cocaine in his system:
According to the source, Johnson has failed three drug tests: one for marijuana in 2009 and two for cocaine, in 2012 and 2014. He was previously suspended for the 2012 failed test, but that suspension was never made public. Under the PGA Tour's drug-testing policies, the Tour is not required to announce any disciplinary actions against players who test positive for recreational drugs.
However, the pair state that the PGA have not commented on the report, and Johnson's attorney is denying the claims of the source:
The PGA Tour released a curt statement wishing Johnson well and saying it looked forward to his return. When asked directly about Johnson’s failed drug tests and suspension, Ty Votaw, executive vice president of the PGA Tour, said Friday that the Tour would have no further comment. ...
... The suspension means Johnson, 30, will miss the PGA Championship -- the season’s final major takes place next week in Louisville, Ky. -- and also the PGA Tour’s lucrative FedEx Cup playoff series. Johnson's agent, David Winkle of Hambric Sports Management, notified the PGA of America on Thursday that his client will also not be competing in the Ryder Cup in Scotland this September. Earlier this week, when asked if Johnson was about to be suspended by the PGA Tour, Winkle texted an SI reporter, "Don’t believe everything you hear."
This report comes less than 24 hours after Johnson issued a statement, that he was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons:
I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced. By committing the time and resources necessary to improve my mental health, physical well-being and emotional foundation, I am confident that I will be better equipped to fulfill my potential and become a consistent champion.
While one applauds the suspension, Johnson clearly needs help