Dustin Johnson taking a leave of absence from tour, Suspended for cocaine use

[newtogolf]

Regarding DJ...does anyone know how the PGA handles situations where a player needs help with substance abuse/addiction? Seems like they would keep it under wraps in any way possible, trying to uphold this "gentleman's" standard of golf, and also to protect the players' privacy.

I recall reading about DJ's back issues a couple of years ago (when I didn't follow golf much)...some comments were insinuating that he was actually in recovery from a crack addiction. Not saying I believe this...just got me thinking.

The PGA Tour is not supposed to report on suspensions related to failed recreational drug tests.  I don't believe DJ failed any drug test but has instead chosen on his own to seek help for whatever his problems are.

[Mulligan Jeff]

These guys make a ton of money and at times get off track toward a downward spiral. I wish DJ the best.

[newtogolf]

DJ has already been ruled out of the Ryder Cup by Watson and Dufner is reportedly suffering from bulging discs in his neck so I wonder if these events will increase Tigers chance to make the Ryder Cup team or if they will just pick the next guys on the list.

[mdl]

I do not get in their business about what they do with THEIR bodies. As long as they are kind and good, I don't care.

I think @Shorty's point is that you don't see many ultra-narcissistic party girl trust funder daughters of celebrities who are either kind or good?

=>

Marrying her is indicative of at the least some poor decision making skills in his personal life.

[Wansteadimp]

DJ has already been ruled out of the Ryder Cup by Watson and Dufner is reportedly suffering from bulging discs in his neck so I wonder if these events will increase Tigers chance to make the Ryder Cup team or if they will just pick the next guys on the list.

DJ's spot (& Dufners if he were ruled out) would go to the next on the points list. I suspect indirectly this would lead to Tiger being a more likely Captain's pick.

[tmac20]

DJ has already been ruled out of the Ryder Cup by Watson and Dufner is reportedly suffering from bulging discs in his neck so I wonder if these events will increase Tigers chance to make the Ryder Cup team or if they will just pick the next guys on the list.

If Tiger is healthy, he's an automatic pick. They're not going to pick Brendan fu*king Todd over Tiger fu*king Woods.

[RightEdge]

According to Golf Channel's Jason Sobel via Twitter:

Jason Sobel @JasonSobelGC

More from Dustin Johnson: "I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced."

Details

7m

Jason Sobel @JasonSobelGC

Breaking news from Dustin Johnson: "I am taking a leave of absence from professional golf, effective immediately."

If it is drugs, I wonder if the announcers are gonna drag his name through the mud and condemn him like they did one of his fellow golfers.

[flopster]

I know we don't know yet but I hope it's not painkillers, opiates are very difficult to stop and he did have an injury where he probably was prescribed vicodin at the very least, cocaine is just so dangerous for someone with the kind of money he has, most people just can't afford that stuff all the time but someone with millions can really do some damage however I didn't notice DJ looking much thinner lately so that probably isn't it.

[ditchparrot19]

I know we don't know yet but I hope it's not painkillers, opiates are very difficult to stop and he did have an injury where he probably was prescribed vicodin at the very least, cocaine is just so dangerous for someone with the kind of money he has, most people just can't afford that stuff all the time but someone with millions can really do some damage however I didn't notice DJ looking much thinner lately so that probably isn't it.

I didn't notice guys like John Belushi or Chris Farley looking much thinner before they died, either.

If it is drugs, it's not going to be a walk in the park for him. That's the flip side of this whole celebrity business and it can be a rough road for those who don't handle the trappings well.

[Hammer 4]

I didn't notice guys like John Belushi or Chris Farley looking much thinner before they died, either.

If it is drugs, it's not going to be a walk in the park for him. That's the flip side of this whole celebrity business and it can be a rough road for those who don't handle the trappings well.

Exactly. Won't lose much weight unless they are high all the time. My brother in law back in the early 80's had a Major coke problem, he never stopped, so the drug stopped him.

I really hope whatever D.J.'s problem is, he can overcome it, and get back out on tour. I'm just hoping he has some very good people around him for support.

[DCrotty22]

Does both a disservice by not going public, IMO. Hurts their case with Vijay, too. We'll see. 2nd failed test I believe is 6 months (that is if his back injury by lifting a jet ski was a 1st failed test). If he doesn't defend his WGC - China and returns the first week of January, I think we'll know the answer.

Wonder what the "Great One" thinks of this?

[3putter]

Anybody who knows the biochemical pathway of these drugs in relation to how the brain naturally functions will stay the fu2k away from drugs. I hope it ain't drugs tho, them some real demons right there. Wish him the best nonethless, I'm definitely not good enough to pass judgment on the guy.

I'm sure Taylormade isnt too happy with this. He's just about their biggest marketing tool. I also heard this morning on MD that Taylormade/Adidas is really struggling and they are having issues even selling discounted old inventory. That combined with one of their top pros to advertise through, cannot be good for them. I would imagine they are gonna quickly pick up another talent and when DJ does return, he may not be a Taylormade player. That story was saying Nike is really blowing their competitors out of the water; which kinda surprises me because sure they have the top 2 names in TW and Rory, but Taylormade has the depth.

Off topic, but from what I gather from the Golfsmith guy, Nike is moving up nicely in the golf world.

[newtogolf]

Does both a disservice by not going public, IMO. Hurts their case with Vijay, too. We'll see. 2nd failed test I believe is 6 months (that is if his back injury by lifting a jet ski was a 1st failed test). If he doesn't defend his WGC - China and returns the first week of January, I think we'll know the answer.

Wonder what the "Great One" thinks of this?

By both do you mean DJ and PGA Tour?  If so, I agree, DJ would have been better off feigning an injury  rather than making the open ended statement he did.  While it's none of our business, it's foolish to think others won't speculate and the potential causes can range from depression to drug abuse to who knows what the media will come up with.

[Motley01]

If you go over to Golf WRX forums there's a huge thread about this. Some insiders that have contacts on tour, know caddies, etc. All are saying its cocaine addition.

In 2011 Dustin had a so-called back injury. Well it was actually a failed drug test and he was suspended for 3 months. So now this recent news, must be another failed drug test, and the tour is suspending him and forcing him to go to rehab.

Also in 2009 Dustin was busted for a DUI.

Just like Another Kim, but AK didn't want to go to rehab so he was dismissed from the PGA Tour.

And Paulina Gretski is an enabler, paryting with DJ, I knew she was bad news for him. Paulina is the just another Paris Hilton type chick.

Here is the thread: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1059481-dustin-johnsonleave-of-absence-from-golf-any-news/

[DCrotty22]

By both do you mean DJ and PGA Tour?  If so, I agree, DJ would have been better off feigning an injury  rather than making the open ended statement he did.  While it's none of our business, it's foolish to think others won't speculate and the potential causes can range from depression to drug abuse to who knows what the media will come up with.

Yes, I meant both DJ and the Tour.  As you said, it just leads others to speculate.

[RJH999]

If you go over to Golf WRX forums there's a huge thread about this. Some insiders that have contacts on tour, know caddies, etc. All are saying its cocaine addition. In 2011 Dustin had a so-called back injury. Well it was actually a failed drug test and he was suspended for 3 months. So now this recent news, must be another failed drug test, and the tour is suspending him and forcing him to go to rehab. Also in 2009 Dustin was busted for a DUI. Just like Another Kim, but AK didn't want to go to rehab so he was dismissed from the PGA Tour. And Paulina Gretski is an enabler, paryting with DJ, I knew she was bad news for him. Paulina is the just another Paris Hilton type chick. Here is the thread:  [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1059481-dustin-johnsonleave-of-absence-from-golf-any-news/]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1059481-dustin-johnsonleave-of-absence-from-golf-any-news/[/URL]

Thanks, very interesting. Over on Deadspin people are saying similar things. http://deadspin.com/dustin-johnson-takes-leave-of-absence-to-seek-professi-1614211528

[iacas]

You don't have to go to other sites: people are saying the same thing here. :-)

[RJH999]

You don't have to go to other sites: people are saying the same thing here. :-)

Good one. :)