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‘Don’t Really Regret Not Going’ – Dustin Johnson on Skipping the Tokyo Olympics 2020
For athletes, representing their country in the Olympics is probably the biggest honor they could have. Athletes compete to bring back home a gold medal and strive hard to make multiple appearances in the Olympic games. However, in a recent interview, World No. 2 Dustin Johnson opened about his decision to skip the Tokyo Olympics altogether.
Dustin Johnson on why he decided to skip the 2020 Olympics
While talking to the media ahead of the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational this week, Johnson spoke about his choice to not participate in the Olympics. “I mean obviously I support the Olympics and I’m really glad golf’s in it,” Johnson explained. “Don’t really regret not going, but obviously it’s something that I would enjoy and I’m proud to represent my country this year”.
He added that he did not think an Olympics performance would be beneficial for him, but he is not against playing in Paris. “With everything going on it was just something that I wasn’t too keen on. But obviously, I watched a little bit of it and I am always proud and want to represent my country in events like that. But just this year wasn’t something that I thought was like I said, beneficial for me”.
When asked about the gold medal, Johnson added that he is yet to see Xander Schauffele’s gold medal.
Jul 22, 2021; Blaine, Minnesota, USA; Dustin Johnson hits from the fairway on the 15th hole during the first round of the 3M Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier, Johnson had also spoken about skipping the Olympics so he could focus on the PGA Tour. “It’s right in the middle of a big stretch of golf for me, so that was the reason I was kind of waffling on it a little bit,” the former World No. 1 said. “It’s a long way to travel, and I think the WGC [World Golf Championship event] is the week right after it. The British is a couple weeks before”.
Most birdies-or-better per round at TPC Southwind since 2016 (min. 8 rounds played in span):
Dustin Johnson, 5.50
Jordan Spieth, 5.13
Matt Fitzpatrick, 4.63
Webb Simpson, 4.63
Bubba Watson, 4.63
Daniel Berger, 4.57
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) August 4, 2021
The PGA Tour has a packed schedule this year, and the Olympics was scheduled in between The Open Championship and upcoming the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. During the same interview, Johnson spoke about needing more time, and how a slightly relaxed schedule would have given him more time to think.
READ MORE: Olympic Silver Medalist Rory Sabbatini in High Danger of Losing PGA Tour Status Next Season
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