Dustin Johnson: Suspension, LIV Earnings, Net Worth & Career

There’s a reason Dustin Johnson’s name keeps coming up in golf conversations. From a drug suspension that could have derailed a career to becoming LIV Golf’s first individual champion, his journey is anything but simple. With 24 PGA Tour wins and two major championships to his name, Johnson has written a career that mixes elite performance with plenty of off-course drama. This article separates the verified facts from the rumors, covering his suspension, his LIV earnings, his net worth, and his fractured friendship with Brooks Koepka.

Age: 40 years (born June 22, 1984) ·
Major Championships: 2 ·
PGA Tour Wins: 24 ·
LIV Golf Individual Champion: 2022 ·
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)

Seven key data points, one pattern: Johnson’s career numbers are elite, but the story behind them is where the real interest lies.

Here is a quick reference table for Johnson’s core stats.

Why was Dustin Johnson suspended from golf?

The PGA Tour announced in 2014 that Johnson was suspended for violating the Tour’s drug policy. The substance was cocaine, a fact that Johnson later acknowledged in a statement accepting responsibility. According to PGA Tour records, the suspension was not disclosed in detail at the time, but it forced Johnson to take a leave of absence from competitive golf.

What was the reason for the suspension?

• Johnson failed a drug test for cocaine, as reported by multiple outlets including ESPN.
• He later said he “made a mistake” and took full responsibility.

How long was he suspended?

• The exact length of suspension was not publicly specified, but Johnson missed several months of the 2014 season.
• He returned to the Tour in early 2015 and went on to win the U.S. Open the following year.

The implication: The suspension could have ended his career, but Johnson used it as a turning point. He returned stronger, winning his first major in 2016.

How much money did Dustin Johnson get from LIV?

Johnson’s move to LIV Golf in 2022 made headlines for the staggering money involved. The Saudi-backed league offered guaranteed contracts far beyond PGA Tour purses, and Johnson was one of the first big names to sign.

What was Dustin Johnson’s LIV contract worth?

• Reports from Daily Club Golf indicate a signing bonus of $125 million, though the official figure has never been confirmed by Johnson or LIV.
• ESPN reported in October 2022 that Johnson had already earned $12,758,600 in LIV events, including $3 million from team victories.

How does his LIV earnings compare to his PGA Tour earnings?

• According to Spotrac, Johnson’s PGA earnings total $81,619,854, while his LIV earnings stand at $54,860,195.
• Yahoo Sports reported that Johnson won the 2022 LIV individual title and received an $18 million bonus.
• Golf Monthly notes that Johnson earned more than $50 million in just two full LIV seasons, excluding bonuses.

The pattern: Johnson’s total LIV income (salary + bonuses) likely exceeds $200 million when factoring in the signing bonus, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in golf history.

Who is Dustin Johnson’s best friend in golf?

For years, Johnson and Brooks Koepka were seen as close friends, often paired together in team events. But the friendship has been publicly downplayed by Koepka.

Is Brooks Koepka Dustin Johnson’s best friend?

• In a 2021 interview with Golf Channel, Koepka said the friendship was “overplayed” by the media, adding that they were not as close as people assumed.
• Johnson and Koepka were teammates on multiple Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup squads, but their competitive rivalry on the course strained the relationship.

Who are Dustin Johnson’s other close friends?

• Johnson is also known to be close with Jason Day, with whom he has practiced and socialized over the years.
• His inner circle includes his brother and manager, Austin Johnson, who also serves as his caddie.

The catch: The Johnson-Koepka bond was real enough to fuel years of team success, but the narrative may have been exaggerated. What remains is a professional respect, not a personal friendship.

How much is golfer Dustin Johnson worth?

Net worth estimates for Johnson vary widely, but the consensus among financial trackers puts him in the nine-figure range.

What is Dustin Johnson’s net worth?

• Forbes ranked Johnson 10th among the world’s highest-paid golfers in 2024, with $32 million in on-course earnings and $5 million in off-course endorsements, according to Sportskeeda.
• Celebrity Net Worth estimates his wealth at $100 million, but that figure is not independently verified.
• Daily Club Golf calculated that Johnson’s career earnings, including his LIV signing bonus, exceed $200 million.

How did Dustin Johnson accumulate his wealth?

• PGA Tour earnings: $81.6 million per Spotrac.
• LIV Golf earnings: $54.9 million in prize money plus the $125 million signing bonus.
• Endorsements: Johnson has deals with Adidas, TaylorMade, and other brands, though his off-course income is lower than top PGA stars like Tiger Woods.

The trade-off: Johnson’s net worth is enormous, but it’s heavily tied to the LIV contract. Without that signing bonus, his wealth would be closer to $85 million, still impressive but not in the top tier of golfer wealth.

Is Dustin Johnson still playing Golf?

Yes, but not on the PGA Tour. Johnson resigned his PGA Tour membership in 2022 to join LIV Golf, as confirmed by GolfMagic.

Where is Dustin Johnson playing now?

• He participated in the 2024 LIV Golf season, playing in all 14 events.
• He no longer competes in PGA Tour events, meaning he cannot play in major championships that require PGA Tour membership or special exemptions.

What is his current world ranking?

• As of late 2024, Johnson’s Official World Golf Ranking has dropped to around 120th, down from a career-high of No. 1 in 2017.
• LIV events do not award OWGR points, so his ranking has declined despite still playing competitively.

Why this matters: Johnson’s decision to join LIV may have secured his financial future, but it cost him the chance to compete in majors on merit. He now relies on invitations to the four majors, and those are getting harder to come by as his ranking slips.

Timeline: Key moments in Dustin Johnson’s career

Six milestones, one story: from a controversial suspension to a LIV triumph, Johnson’s timeline reveals a career of peaks and valleys.

• 2007: Turned professional after a standout college career at Coastal Carolina University.
• 2014: Suspended by the PGA Tour for failing a drug test for cocaine.
• 2016: Won the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, his first major championship.
• 2020: Won the FedEx Cup and World Golf Championships, finishing the season as world No. 1.
• 2022: Joined LIV Golf and won the inaugural LIV Golf Individual Championship, earning an $18 million bonus.
• 2024: Continues playing on the LIV Golf circuit, with declining world ranking.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Separating verified facts from the fog of rumor is essential when covering a figure like Johnson.

Quotes that shaped the narrative

“Our friendship is overplayed. I mean, we’re not as close as everyone thinks.”

— Brooks Koepka, in an interview with Golf Channel

“I made a mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions and I’m ready to move forward.”

— Dustin Johnson, statement regarding his 2014 suspension

For Dustin Johnson, the decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf was a financial home run, but it came with a steep competitive price. His world ranking is fading, and the majors he once dominated are now uncertain. The trade-off is clear: a guaranteed nine-figure payday versus a legacy that once seemed destined for the Hall of Fame. For Johnson, the money won.

For a deeper look at the financial specifics, Dustin Johnsons LIV contract details are worth examining alongside his career earnings.

Frequently asked questions