Tiger Woods stars in FUNNY video as Dustin Johnson parties with Paulina Gretzky

TaylorMade has dropped its annual Christmas video and it sees Tiger Woods hilariously leading as the conductor of a choir featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa and Charley Hull. 

While the video certainly made us and golf fans chuckle, especially when McIlroy faffs around trying to find the correct page to sing 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas', a number of close observers were all left asking the same question...

Anyway before we get into the Johnson controversy, here's the video.

Tommy fits the narrative perfectly...

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Merry Christmas, from #TeamTaylorMade! pic.twitter.com/kFcKHlxPNc

— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) December 19, 2022

Okay, so where's Dustin Johnson?!

LIV Golf's Johnson has typically always starred in the brand's annual festive video, and while he remains a TaylorMade staff player (at least to our knowledge) heading into 2023, it would seem the company has no interest in promoting one of its current Tour pros linked to the Saudi-backed circuit.

The former World No.1 and 24-time PGA Tour winner was the first shock player move of the season as he accepted big bucks to join LIV Golf ahead of its first tournament at Centurion Club in England back in June. 

Johnson even terminated his PGA Tour membership in the process, ending his impressive Ryder Cup career too. 

That decision also saw him immediately lose one of his long-term sponsorship deals. 

DJ has also recently been kicked out of the world's top 40 as a result of LIV Golf remaining shut out of receiving Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. 

There has been no official confirmation from TaylorMade as to the reason why Johnson has been removed from its Christmas video this year, but when you consider DJ's LIV compariots Sergio Garcia and Matt Wolff were also in their 2021 post and bypassed this time, then you can sort of read between the lines here.

Johnson is also one of TaylorMade's highest paid athletes, so you would think he would take a front seat in any latest marketing opportunities. But apparently no more. 

Here's the TaylorMade Christmas video from last year, if you want to check it out. 

It probably should not be much of a surprise that Johnson was booted from the brand's latest video as he did not feature in TaylorMade's recent 'Masked Swinger' content that saw the likes of Woods and McIlroy hit balls in massive costumes. 

The two-time major champion's omission from the TaylorMade Christmas video would also go some way to portray why LIV Golf seems to be finding it so hard to attract sponsors - and TV deals - ahead of its second season that starts in February.

One thing that is very evident as we close out 2022 is how LIV simply does not have the full backing of any major golf brand.

At least not yet anyway.

Perhaps things will change when a decision is made regarding OWGR points, but we'll have to wait and see on that front. 

LIV being shunned by golf equipment brands has been the story all year, especially when you look at their social media channels. 

Unlike when a player wins a tournament on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour and brands tell their followers about the golf equipment that their player used to win that week, the story is completely different after three days of LIV Golf action.

There's not even a congratulatory post.

Zero, zip, zilch, nada. 

You could argue brands are waiting for the other to make the first move. 

But nobody seems willing to step forward.

There are not even branded Tour vans at LIV Golf events, it was recently noted to us. 

There are just independent vans on site each week to help players tweak their equipment, or deal with any club and ball queries. 

As it stands, if LIV can't win over the leading golf manufacturers, which let's face it is more than likely their end goal when it comes to brands sponsoring teams in the future, then you begin to see the uphill struggle that Greg Norman faces with his breakaway league. 

Things likely won't become any easier on that front after LIV Golf's chief operating officer walked out earlier this week. 

He was even rumoured to have engaged in a furious exchange with the PIF governor before his exit. 

So where exactly is marquee LIV signing Johnson this Christmas? 

Instead of wishing TaylorMade's followers a Merry Christmas, DJ was actually at home celebrating his wife Paulina Gretzky's 34th birthday.

Certainly judging by the latest snaps on social media, it would appear the $150 million he made from joining LIV Golf earlier this year is already being put to good use in the Johnson household this Christmas. 

Paulina has taken to her official Instagram page to show off her latest photos, which also feature her parents Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones.

DJ and Paulina tied the knot earlier this year at an extravagent wedding ceremony, which you can see more pictures from here. 

Paulina's father Wayne is arguably the greatest ice hockey player of all time after playing 20 seasons in the NHL for four different teams. 

Gretzky set records in both regular season and post-season play, holding the record for most career regular season goals (894), assists (1,963), points (2,857) and hat-tricks (50).

Paulina recently took to Instagram in a cocktail dress to show off her custom-made bar in her family home. 

Related: When DJ landed himself in hot water with Paulina

The new LIV Golf League for 2023 starts in February with a new 60-player lineup, but the full teams are yet to be confirmed. 

An early look at the 14-tournament schedule was recently leaked in the media. 

Despite telling the world they want to take this thing around the world, nine of the 14 tournaments are scheduled for the United States.

England, Singapore, Australia, Spain and Mexico will make up the remainder of events. 

Johnson has axed one of his players from his red-hot 4 Aces GC side ahead of the new season, but as of yet, there have been no new PGA Tour signings on LIV Golf since Open champion Cameron Smith made a huge-money move. 

DJ incredibly took his on-course earnings to $35,637,767 after the conclusion of the first LIV Golf season.

He only won once, like Smith, but his 4 Aces GC won five times from eight tournaments, capping things off in style with victory in the season-ending LIV Golf Team Championship. 

Johnson said he "didn't play his best". 

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