Dustin Johnson has his retirement plans all thought out.
“I think I’ve got another six years in me,” Johnson said ahead of the U.S. Open on Tuesday. “I can grind for another six years. And then I’m going fishing.”
The soon-to-be 41-year-old is in the spotlight this week as he returns to Oakmont, where he won the U.S. Open in 2016 for his first major conquest.
Nine years ago, Johnson was among the best players in the sport. He returns to the Pittsburgh-area course searching for his game after leading the charge of PGA Tour players bolting to LIV Golf in 2022.
“I feel like my game’s been really close,” Johnson said of his recent play after tying for 10th last week in the LIV Virginia event. “It was definitely nice to have a nice finish last week. I played good every day … You know, still kind of giving away some shots. I need to clean that up a little bit.”
However, he hasn’t finished top three in any of the past 20 events of the rebel tour and has missed the cut in five of his last seven majors — including both the Masters and PGA Championship this year.
But Johnson said on Tuesday that he “wants to get back” and knows he’s “still got it.”
Johnson has faced criticism for bolting for the big bucks of the Saudi-backed LIV, and his work ethic has long been questioned.
He and wife Paulina Gretzky, who share two sons, have often posted photos of their lavish vacations on social media.
Johnson’s Oakmont victory was memorable for the wild circumstances that took place, in which he played the last seven holes unaware of his official score as the USGA decided whether it should penalize him for moving his ball on the fifth green in the final round.
He wound up receiving the penalty, yet still went on to win.
Johnson’s last major victory was at the 2020 Masters.