DJ out of Hero, gives the nod to Presidents Cup

While Brooks Koepka and Jason Day are ‘gone’ from the Presidents Cup next week, former world No 1 Dustin Johnson says he’ll be there.

The American team will be hoping he goes well “fresh” because Johnson has withdrawn from this week’s Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas, an event that US Presidents Cup captain Tiger Woods hosts.

Dustin Johnson (Credit: WGC)

Johnson has not played any competitive golf since finishing last in the Tour Championship more than two months ago and afterwards undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee.

The 2016 US Open champion said he had made the decision to pull out this week “after a lot of careful thought and consultation.”

“While my recovery from knee surgery is complete, I feel another week of physical therapy and practice will best prepare me for the Presidents Cup,” said the former world No. 1.

“I have informed Captain Woods of my decision, which he fully supports and understands.”

Johnson won this year’s World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship and was runner-up in both the Masters and PGA Championship, but has not had a top-10 since leaving Bethpage Black in May.

In-form American Chez Reavie was selected to replace Johnson in the field for the Hero World Challenge, an elite field with a select field of incites.

Reavie has had his best year yet on Tour, finishing eighth in the FedExCup thanks to a win at the Travelers Championship and a third placing in the US Open.

Johnson suggested that practice was the best way he could prepare for the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne and he couldn’t wait to tee it up alongside his team-mates when he arrives in Victoria next week.

“I wish Dustin the best and I know he’s disappointed that’s he’s not playing at Albany,” said tournament host Tiger Woods.