Dustin Johnson's Sponsor "Extremely Disappointed" After LIV Golf Field Announcement
DJ, an RBC ambassador, is skipping the RBC Canadian Open to play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener
![Dustin Johnson pictured](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f2fqojk4VTSLU4RtFPa58Q-1280-80.jpg)
Dustin Johnson's sponsor RBC says it is "extremely disappointed" that the two-time Major winner has opted to skip next week's RBC Canadian Open in favour of the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener in London.
DJ was the surprise name in the LIV Golf Invitational Series field announced on Tuesday evening, and it looks likely that he will be dropped by RBC having played in every RBC event (RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open) since signing with the Royal Bank of Canada in 2018.
"We were recently made aware that Dustin Johnson made the decision to play the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener," RBC said in a statement. "DJ has been a valued RBC Team member since 2018. While we are extremely disappointed in his decision, we wish him well."
"Together with our partners at RBC, we are disappointed to learn at this late stage that Dustin Johnson has made the decision to play in the LIV Golf event," the RBC Canadian Open said in a statement.
"As a past RBC Canadian Open champion, Canadian golf fans were looking forward to DJ's return this year. Our focus continues to be on hosting the widely celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open and welcoming the world's best players to Canada."
If Johnson is to be dropped by RBC, it will be yet another loss of sponsorship for players involved in the Saudi-backed LIV Series. Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood both appeared to have lost their UPS deals whilst Phil Mickelson has had many of his sponsorship deals canceled or 'paused'.
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Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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