The Former World No.1 Reveals His Struggles and Ambitions
Dustin Johnson is aware of the challenges he’s facing in his game.
The issues began two years ago, following his victory during Super Bowl weekend at LIV Golf Las Vegas, and have persisted since then.
Now 41 years old and with 31 worldwide victories over his 18-year professional career, Johnson has arrived at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic after experiencing his first winless season in a decade.
As he prepares for his first tournament of 2026—and a rare appearance on the DP World Tour—Johnson discussed the factors that have been impacting his performance.
“I spent the entire year searching for a driver,” he stated to TG. “I faced difficulties, especially at the start of the year, including the previous year. After my win in Vegas, I broke my driver, and that led to a long search for a replacement.”
“For me, driving is crucial to my game. If I’m driving well, my irons might be off, and vice versa. I struggled to find a consistent match last year, which was frustrating, but I had an idea of what the problem was.”
Despite finishing 14th in LIV’s individual standings in 2025 and being absent from the majors, Johnson remains determined. His challenges coincided with his split from TaylorMade, a partnership that began nearly two decades ago. Now free to explore equipment options, he started using the Titleist GT2 but has recently found promise in the TaylorMade Qi4D driver.
“This new TaylorMade driver is exceptional,” he remarked. “It’s likely the best they’ve had in years. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, who have added it to their bags, would agree.”
Johnson mentioned, “It’s a club I’m comfortable swinging, and I’ve been hitting it well in practice. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Last year, he hinted at tentative retirement plans, suggesting he has another six years left in his career before considering other pursuits. However, after signing a new contract with the 4Aces team, he’s adamant that he still has plenty to offer in golf.
“I don’t have a specific timeline; I’ll continue as long as I enjoy it,” he explained. “Right now, I love competing and believe my game can return to the top.”
With his eligibility for the majors hanging in the balance, Johnson is focused on performing well to secure his place. Despite currently sitting at 639th in the Official World Ranking, he is determined to compete at the highest levels again.
“I need a strong year. As long as I play well, I believe I can qualify for the majors. I want to compete and still feel capable of matching the best players,” he concluded.
