Smith: "It certainly looks like Dustin Johnson is completely finished"

It seems crazy to think it was only three years ago that Dustin Johnson was a bona fide top player in the world when he bolted to LIV Golf. 

Johnson was ranked 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking when he resigned his PGA Tour membership and reportedly penned a deal north of $100m with the PIF-backed league. 

While it may be untrue to argue that he was at the peak of his powers, you certainly wouldn't have baulked at the suggestion that - at the time -  he was considered a better player than fellow high-profile recruits Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. 

For context, DeChambeau and Koepka were both struggling with injuries when they joined LIV. 

The reigning U.S. Open champ had issues with his hip and wrist but is now healthier than ever and a competitive force in the major championships. 

Koepka, too, made it clear in the Netflix documentary Full Swing that his devastating knee injury meant he was practically on the verge of retirement when LIV came a calling. 

But DJ was injury-free, which makes his sharp decline all the more confusing and - in my opinion - quite sad. 

In his pomp, DJ was one of the most dominant golfers of his generation. Nearly untouchable at his peak, he went on hot streaks where he looked unbeatable akin to current runaway world number one Scottie Scheffler.  

His ball speed was frightening. His wedge and iron play impeccable and, when he finally sorted out his putting he added a second major title to his resume at the 2020 Masters with a record-low score.

Prime DJ was the perfect mix between brute power and flair. 

Gone are those days, it seems. 

Since joining LIV, Johnson has played in 13 major championships and his performances have been lacklustre to say the least. 

He's failed to secure a top-five finish and missed seven cuts. Such statistics seem unfathomable for a player of his calibre that is still only 40 years old. 

Johnson has also started this season dreadfully. 

Last week he finished dead last at LIV's third event of the 2025 campaign in Hong Kong. Even Anthony Kim finished above DJ. 

It followed a T44 in Riyadh and another mediocre performance in Adelaide. 

Johnson's defenders may argue that his current ranking (619) isn't a fair or true reflection of his performances given LIV have never been accredited by the governing body. 

But DataGolf, which also takes into account LIV finishes, have Johnson a lowly 207th. 

To me, it just seems clear than he is not the same player anymore. 

Part of the reason why Johnson has fallen so steeply can be explained simply by the fact his priorities have changed. 

It's clear that he enjoys off-course activities. Social media snaps often show DJ fishing with his buddies, hanging out with his glamorous wife Paulina and being a father to his two young sons. 

He even admitted before the 2023 U.S. Open that he had taken his eye of the ball somewhat by declaring that his prep for the major was 'lazy' and competitive golf was no longer a primary focus of his. 

Yet last July he told reporters that he had turned a corner and was more motivated than ever.

Age has also played its part. But golf is a game of longevity and it's not as if he looks like he avoids the gym. 

I hope Johnson can turn a corner and find some form again but sadly it doesn't appear that it will be forthcoming anytime soon. 

It feels like he is just fading away, does it not?