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Dustin Johnson is a man of few words. So, when asked about the PIF pulling out of LIV Golf and his views on the matter, he had only three words. Yes, just three words and the room fell silent. The former Masters champion, who captains the 4Aces GC, was in Busan for the LIV Golf Korea event. Before him, Bryson DeChambeau clearly said everyone was surprised to learn about PIF’s exit. So a journalist asked DJ for his thoughts on the matter.

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Johnson appeared uninterested midway through the question, looking at his teammates, while pondering over the answer. “Long LIV Golf,” said the 41-year-old veteran in his signature laconic voice. For the uninitiated, Long LIV Golf is the Saudi-backed league’s tagline and motto. Quite naturally, DJ’s deadpan answer, with a tinge of self-deprecating humor, caught everyone by surprise. Johnson refused to elaborate, hinting that those three words were his answer to LIV’s precarious future.

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DJ was one of the first big names on the PGA Tour to move to LIV. Ever since then, he has been a strong supporter of the league. The same confidence has been reflected in all his responses since the financial turmoil began. He credited Scott for “doing a ​good job” ahead of the PGA Championship 2026. But that confidence was clearly gone, and now there was a sense of evident apathy toward the league and its future. But his self-deprecating joke makes even more sense when you think of the fact that DJ might’ve shot himself in the foot.

When elites like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed left the rebel league at the beginning of the 2026 season, the 2x major champion signed a new multi-year deal that reportedly runs through 2029. Notably, his short answer this time reflects his tendency to swerve around controversial questions.

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“I have no f–king idea right now,” said the former Masters champion just a few weeks back. He was asked about LIV’s future. After the 2023 LIV Golf Adelaide event, the media asked 4Aces GC for their views on PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. Pat Perez said he didn’t care and that whatever Monahan felt, he felt too. Australian Associated Press reported that it was the DJ who said that. However, it was later found that Dustin Johnson’s actual answer was “No comment.”

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Bloomberg reported that the league is laying the groundwork to potentially file for bankruptcy at the end of 2026. Reports claimed that the organization is moving its headquarters to the USA due to a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy. When Reuters tried to connect with LIV Golf, a spokesperson denied the rumors. However, that’s exactly what happened during the PIF news. Many professionals, including Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau, had thought the league had multi-year backing. And the management denied the claims until it became official.

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If the pattern is to repeat here, Dustin Johnson might soon have to pick a side. But he is focusing on this year right now instead of worrying about the next year.

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And, coming to DJ’s short answer, he not only responds this way to controversial questions, he maintains the same persona when praising his fellow golfers.

Dustin Johnson’s short remark on Anthony Kim’s victory

After facing relegation, Anthony Kim had just made it back to LIV Golf’s roster by finishing third at LIV Golf Promotions 2026. When Patrick Reed left, Kim officially joined 4Aces GC in February 2026. And in his very first team event at Adelaide, he won the individual championship.

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Besides his views on LIV Golf’s future, the media also asked DJ about his move to bring in Anthony Kim in place of Reed and about the Adelaide victory. This time, though, he had a straightforward answer. He said it was a good decision and that Kim has played well throughout the year. He called the Adelaide win “unbelievable.” However, he went on ahead to end the answer with a “That’s it.”

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While still short, DJ did acknowledge Anthony Kim’s journey. And what a journey it has been. After the struggles of all those years, he was with LIV Golf, and then he was not. But he didn’t lose hope, came back, and won his first title in over a decade.

But would it be a short-lived success story, or will LIV Golf and CEO Scott O’Neil pull it through?

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Written by

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Kailash Bhimji Vaviya

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Kailash Vaviya is a Golf Journalist at EssentiallySports, combining newsroom experience with a long-standing passion for the sport. He has been following golf since his college years, closely tracking the rise of modern stars and the drama of the game’s biggest tournaments. With a background in reporting and digital media, Kailash has built a strong foundation in research-driven analysis and storytelling that connects with sports audiences. At EssentiallySports, Kailash brings this blend of journalism and passion to deliver coverage that goes beyond scorecards. Whether it’s breaking down major championships, analyzing player performances, or exploring the cultural resonance of the game, his work aims to inform, engage, and bring fans closer to the world of golf. He has also written for Comic Book Resources (CBR) and Forbes, further expanding his portfolio across sports and media.

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Riya Singhal

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