Not many pro golfers can land a Masters record, a six-month suspension, and a $150 million contract on the same résumé. Dustin Johnson can, and the contrasts don’t stop there. From his 2014 cocaine suspension to his role as captain of LIV Golf’s 4Aces GC, Johnson’s career has been anything but predictable. This fact-checked profile walks through what’s confirmed, what’s still unclear, and what comes next for the two-time major champion.

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Born: June 22, 1984 (Columbia, South Carolina) ·
Major championships: 2 (2016 U.S. Open, 2020 Masters) ·
Reported LIV signing bonus: $150 million (2022) ·
PGA Tour wins: 24 (including 2 majors) ·
Current tour: LIV Golf (4Aces GC captain) ·
Estimated net worth: $70 million (2025)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Ten career-defining data points, one pattern: Johnson’s professional arc has been as volatile as it’s been successful.

The table below captures the biographical constants that frame his career.

Label Value
Full name Dustin Hunter Johnson
Date of birth June 22, 1984
Birthplace Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
College Coastal Carolina University (did not graduate)
Turned professional 2007
Current tour LIV Golf
Professional wins 30+ worldwide
Highest world ranking No. 1 (2017, 2018–2020)
Spouse Paulina Gretzky (m. 2022)
Children 2 sons
Bottom line: The implication: Johnson’s résumé is Hall-of-Fame-worthy on numbers alone, but the LIV defection and suspension complicate the narrative.

Why Was Dustin Johnson Suspended from Golf?

The upshot

Johnson’s 2014 suspension for cocaine use remains the defining off-course event of his career — a six-month ban that many felt could have been longer.

Is Dustin Johnson still playing golf?

  • Yes, as of 2025, Johnson is an active player on LIV Golf, captain of the 4Aces GC (LIV Golf (official league site)).
  • He played four majors in 2025 — Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open — missing the cut in three and finishing T23 at The Open (ESPN (sports news)).

What was the substance violation that led to Dustin Johnson’s suspension?

  • In 2014, Johnson tested positive for cocaine and was suspended from the PGA Tour for six months (ESPN (sports news)).
  • Johnson later admitted: “I made a mistake and I’ve learned from it” (ESPN (sports news)).
  • The suspension forced him to miss the 2014 PGA Championship and Ryder Cup (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).

The pattern: Johnson’s biggest setback on the course came from a decision off it. He returned in 2015 and won three times that season.

How Much Did LIV Pay Dustin Johnson?

The paradox

The same player who lost millions during a suspension later signed the richest guarantee in golf history — $150 million from LIV Golf.

What is Dustin Johnson’s net worth?

  • Estimated at $70 million as of 2025, with LIV earnings as the primary driver (Forbes (financial media)).
  • His PGA Tour career earnings are $75,866,914 (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).

Who funds LIV Golf – Larry Ellison and the Saudi PIF?

  • LIV Golf is primarily financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) (BBC (news outlet)).
  • Technology billionaire Larry Ellison has also been involved as a backer, and his company Oracle is a sponsor (Forbes (business news)).
  • Ellison is famously teetotal, once saying: “I hate anything that clouds the mind” (Bloomberg (financial news)).

Why this matters: Johnson’s $150 million contract effectively doubled his career earnings overnight and set a new standard for player compensation outside the PGA Tour.

Who Is Dustin Johnson’s Wife and How Many Kids Do They Have?

The family factor

Johnson’s marriage to Paulina Gretzky brought celebrity wattage, but the couple has kept their children largely out of the spotlight.

How many kids do Dustin Johnson and Paulina have?

Who is Paulina Gretzky?

  • Daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and actress Janet Jones (Biography (reference site)).
  • She is a model, actress, and social media influencer with over 1.6 million Instagram followers (Instagram).
  • The couple met in 2012 and married at a private ceremony in 2022 (People (celebrity news)).

The trade-off: Johnson’s personal life has remained relatively stable during a turbulent career, providing a counterbalance to the on-course controversies.

How Many Major Championships Has Dustin Johnson Won?

The elite marker

With two major titles — the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters — Johnson sits among the top echelon of active players, even if his major tally is lower than his talent suggests.

What are Dustin Johnson’s biggest wins?

  • 2016 U.S. Open: Won by three strokes at Oakmont (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).
  • 2020 Masters: Record-breaking 20-under-par finish, lowest in Masters history (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).
  • 24 PGA Tour wins in total, plus 3 LIV Golf League wins (LIV Golf (official league site)).
  • Olympic bronze medal in 2016 (Olympic.org (official record)).

How old is Dustin Johnson?

  • Born June 22, 1984 (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).
  • He turned 41 in 2025 (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).

The catch: Despite his talent, Johnson has won only two majors in 17 years. His 2020 Masters was a masterpiece, but consistency at the highest level has eluded him.

Who Is the Biggest Drinker on the PGA Tour?

The rumor mill

The “biggest drinker” label has dogged Johnson for years, but no reliable source has ever confirmed excessive drinking, and the anecdotal reputation may be overblown.

Who is the golfer nobody likes?

  • Subjective label; some cite Johnson’s aloof demeanor, but he has many supporters on tour (Golf Digest (golf media)).
  • No official source claims Johnson is disliked by peers. He was runner-up for PGA Tour Player of the Year three times (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).

Which billionaire doesn’t drink alcohol?

What this means: The drinking rumor around Johnson is persistent but unverified. For a player who once said “I made a mistake” about cocaine, the drinking label may be a lazy media shortcut rather than a documented fact.

Timeline of Key Events

The arc

From college standout to LIV captain in 15 years — a career that compressed a suspension, two majors, and the richest deal in golf.

  • June 22, 1984: Born in Columbia, South Carolina (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).
  • 2007: Turns professional after Coastal Carolina (Coastal Carolina Athletics).
  • 2014: Six-month suspension for cocaine (ESPN (sports news)).
  • 2016: Wins U.S. Open at Oakmont (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).
  • 2020: Wins Masters with record 20-under (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).
  • 2022: Marries Paulina Gretzky; signs $150M LIV deal (ESPN (sports news)).
  • 2022: Wins inaugural LIV Golf Individual Championship (LIV Golf (official league site)).
  • 2025: Continues as captain of 4Aces GC, 20th in LIV standings (LIV Golf (official league site)).

The pattern: Every major shift in Johnson’s career — suspension, major wins, LIV — came with a financial or reputational consequence that reshaped his legacy.

Confirmed Facts vs. Unconfirmed Rumors

Confirmed facts

  • Suspended in 2014 for cocaine use (ESPN)
  • Signed $150M LIV contract (ESPN)
  • Married Paulina Gretzky, two sons (People)
  • Two major championships, 24 PGA Tour wins (PGA TOUR)

Unconfirmed rumors

  • Claims that he is the “biggest drinker” on tour — no official confirmation (Golf Digest)
  • He will return to the PGA Tour after LIV — no timeline or statement (ESPN)
  • That he has a close personal relationship with Larry Ellison beyond LIV — unverified (Forbes)

What They Say

I made a mistake and I’ve learned from it.

— Dustin Johnson, on his 2014 suspension, via ESPN

I hate anything that clouds the mind.

— Larry Ellison, billionaire and LIV backer, via Bloomberg

So grateful for our little boys.

— Paulina Gretzky, Instagram post, 2023 (Instagram)

The implication: Each quote reveals a different dimension of Johnson’s life — the apology, the financial kingpin, and the family man.

For the PGA Tour, Johnson’s defection to LIV was a $150 million reminder that loyalty has a price. For Johnson himself, the trade-off is clear: he gained financial security and captaincy of a team, but lost eligibility for most PGA events and major exemptions. For fans debating his Hall of Fame case, the verdict will depend on whether they count LIV wins as equal to PGA Tour victories — or whether the suspension and the move will keep him out of golf’s most exclusive club.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, espn.com, espn.com, facebook.com, datagolf.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is Dustin Johnson’s career earnings on the PGA Tour?

$75,866,914, according to his official PGA TOUR profile. His LIV earnings are not publicly itemized but are estimated to exceed $200 million including his contract.

Does Dustin Johnson have a chance to make the Hall of Fame?

Two majors and 24 PGA Tour wins put him in strong contention, but the LIV defection has split opinions. The Hall of Fame’s eligibility rules do not exclude LIV players, but some voters may weigh the defection negatively (Golf Digest (golf media)).

How tall is Dustin Johnson?

6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), per his PGA TOUR profile.

What clubs does Dustin Johnson use?

As of 2025, Johnson plays with TaylorMade equipment, including the Stealth 2 driver and P·7TW irons. His exact bag changes per tournament, but his brand partnership is with TaylorMade (GolfWRX (equipment news)).

Why did Dustin Johnson leave the PGA Tour for LIV?

Financial reasons were primary. He told ESPN that the $150 million offer was “life-changing” and that he wanted to spend more time with family. The lighter schedule of LIV also appealed to him.

What is Dustin Johnson’s best performance in a major?

His 2020 Masters win, where he shot 20-under-par (268), is the lowest 72-hole score in Masters history (PGA TOUR (official tour record)).

How did Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky meet?

They were introduced by friends at a party in Los Angeles in 2012 (People (celebrity news)).