World No. 1 Dustin Johnson confirms he will not tee it up at Tokyo Olympics
2020 Masters champion prefers to focus on PGA Tour events, Ryder Cup
One year later didn't make Dustin Johnson change his mind. He's not going to the Olympics.
Johnson didn't want to go to Tokyo a year ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic led to a one-year delay, because of a crammed summer schedule and his desire to stay fresh for the PGA Tour's post-season that culminates with the FedEx Cup.
He won the FedEx Cup and its $15 million US prize for the first time.
Johnson said he didn't put forward his name to be among the maximum of four Americans who can play in the Olympics. The Masters champion is No. 1 in the world. Countries can have as many as four players provided they are among the top 15 in the world ranking on June 21, the day after the U.S. Open.
"I really didn't think much about it. I actually didn't really ever decide whether I was going to play or not, I just didn't sign up," Johnson said Saturday. "But it's right in the middle of a big stretch of golf for me, so that was the reason I was kind of waffling on it a little bit."
WATCH | Johnson completes memorable Masters performance:
The men's competition starts on July 29. That's 11 days after the British Open at Royal St. George's in England, and a World Golf Championship, which Johnson has won, is the week after the Olympics.
'It's a long way to travel'
Two weeks later, the PGA Tour stages three straight post-season events ending with the Tour Championship. And three weeks later, he has the Ryder Cup.
Johnson said he might have thought more about playing if there was more space in the schedule.
He signed up for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, golf's return after a 112-year absence, only to pull out along with several others over concerns about the Zika virus.
Jon Rahm currently is the No. 1 player in the Olympic ranking, with every intention of going for Spain.
"It's an honour to be an Olympian. That's all I can say," Rahm said. "As long as I can compete, I'll be there."
Even with Johnson playing, the Americans still have 10 other players among the top 15 with three months -- and three majors -- remaining before qualifying ends.
