The 2023 PGA Championship next week is set to be the second major event where LIV golfers will be permitted to play against PGA Tour players. LIV star Dustin Johnson appears to be gaining momentum at the right time as he looks to test himself against the best players in the world.
Johnson came away with the victory at the LIV Tulsa event this weekend.
He battled with former Open Championship winner Cameron Smith and Brendan Grace in a sudden-death playoff, narrowly defeating them with a clutch birdie putt.
DJ wins in Tulsa! 🏆@djohnsonpga sinks his birdie putt in the playoff hole to claim his second individual victory#LIVGolf @4acesgc_ pic.twitter.com/4KaTbGHD0d
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) May 15, 2023
Even if Johnson’s decision to join LIV was controversial, he is widely regarded by most to still be one of the best golfers in the world.
This victory is definitely a great sign that his game is at a good place heading into the PGA Championship. He discussed what this win meant to him on Sunday night, saying that he now has some positive momentum.
“I’m really playing well, so it’s really good,” said Johnson via Sports Illustrated’s Gabrielle Herzig. “I’ve got a lot of momentum going into next week.”
He added that while he is happy about the win, he won’t be celebrating because there is more work to be done at the PGA Championship.
“No, not celebrating,” Johnson added. “I have to get right back to work.”
Winning at LIV events a week before a major has been an indicator of success in that major. Brooks Koepka notably won at LIV Orlando the week before The Masters. He then went on to finish in a tie for second place at Augusta.
[LIV Golf on Twitter, Sports Illustrated]
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.