Dustin Johnson facing LIV Golf headache with team-mate’s future in balance

Dustin Johnson, a member of the LIV Golf team, may be about to lose his teammate Pat Perez. Perez is currently teetering on the edge of the breakaway league’s drop zone with just three events remaining.

Johnson has had a successful run with the 4Aces since joining the LIV setup, with his team being named the inaugural team champions in 2022. This success continued into the second season, with Johnson and his team leading the way into last year’s team championship, before being dethroned by Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers in October.

The All-American team, which includes Johnson, Perez, Patrick Reed and Harold Varner III, has struggled to replicate their impressive form from 2022, currently sitting 10th out of 13 in the team standings.

Much of their previous success was due to Johnson’s efforts, but he has failed to meet his own high standards this year, despite winning one event in Las Vegas. This leaves him 11th in the individual standings, while Perez is struggling in 47th place, just two spots above the drop zone.

The four players who finish the season below the cut line – and are not already exempt for the next season – will be relegated from the breakaway league, losing their playing rights for 2025. This is undoubtedly a concern for Perez, who gave up his PGA Tour card to join LIV two years ago, reports the Mirror US.

Perez significantly bolstered his prospects last week in Nashville, tying for 14th at eight-under-par in the 54-hole tournament. This marked only his second top-15 finish in a LIV tournament this season, having previously done so in Vegas.

His teammate Varner III is also near the bottom, just above the cut line, while Perez’s future was uncertain at the start of the year after becoming a free agent post his initial contract. His dedication to Johnson paid off, as he was re-signed by the captain for 2024, making him the first LIV Golf free agent to secure a new deal.

Upon re-signing, Perez expressed his enthusiasm: “Couldn’t be more excited. It’s phenomenal to remain a part of LIV. I’m very grateful.”

After finishing the 2023 season with three individual top-10s in 12 starts, an improvement from the previous year, Perez reflected: “I think DJ saw the effort. And I think he likes having me on the team. I’m honored to get the deal and have another year. I’m going to try just as hard next season, if not harder.”