Dustin Johnson's Major Streak Ends as He Withdraws from Open Qualifying

The End of an Era at the Claret Jug

Well, folks, we've officially reached the end of a pretty remarkable run. Dustin Johnson, the 42-year-old former world number one who's been a fixture at golf's biggest events for the better part of two decades, will miss his first Open Championship since his debut back in 2009.

Johnson withdrew from final qualifying at Dundonald Links—one of four venues offering five spots each for next month's championship at Royal Birkdale—and no explanation has been given for the decision. Just like that, a streak of 38 consecutive major starts has come to an unceremonious end.

A Streak That Spoke Volumes

Let's put this into perspective. The last time DJ missed a major? The 2017 Masters, when a back injury kept him sidelined after that infamous fall down the stairs at his rental home. Since then, he'd been a constant presence at golf's four biggest tournaments, making cuts and competing at the highest level even as his game went through various peaks and valleys.

Thirty-eight straight major starts is no joke. That's nearly a decade of showing up, teeing it up, and grinding through the most demanding weeks on the golf calendar. Whether you're a fan of his move to LIV Golf or not, that kind of consistency deserves recognition.

The Open That Got Away

Here's what makes this particularly bittersweet: The Open Championship is the one major that's always eluded Johnson. He's got the 2016 US Open trophy. He's got that emotional 2020 Masters green jacket. But the Claret Jug? Never.

His best showing came way back in 2011, when he finished tied for second. Since then, he's been knocking on the door at various Open venues, but the combination of links golf's unpredictable nature and some untimely putting struggles have kept that jug out of his hands.

Now, at 42, with just one top-20 finish in his last 15 major appearances, the window appears to be narrowing considerably.

The LIV Factor

Johnson's situation highlights the ongoing reality for LIV Golf players when it comes to major championships. Without automatic qualification through world ranking points or tour exemptions, players on the Saudi-backed circuit have to find alternative paths into these events.

Final qualifying is a legitimate route—plenty of great players have punched their tickets this way over the years—but it adds an extra hurdle that wasn't there before. For someone of Johnson's pedigree, having to go through a qualifying event at Dundonald Links to play in The Open must feel like a significant step down from where he was just a few years ago.

To his credit, DJ made the cut in all three major starts this year, so the game isn't completely gone. But the results haven't been what they once were, and now we're seeing the consequences of playing outside the traditional tour structure.

What Happens at Royal Birkdale

The 152nd Open Championship tees off on July 16th at Royal Birkdale, and for the first time in 17 years, Dustin Johnson won't be in the field. The English links course will host a stacked field chasing the Claret Jug, but one of the most recognizable figures in modern golf will be watching from home—or wherever LIV Golf has him that week.

It's a strange visual to imagine, honestly. Johnson has been such a constant at majors that his absence will be noticeable, even in a field filled with stars.

Key Takeaways

• Historic streak ends: Johnson's 38 consecutive major starts is officially over—his longest absence since 2017
• No explanation given: The withdrawal from Dundonald Links qualifying came without any stated reason
• Open remains elusive: Johnson's best Open finish (T2 in 2011) will stand as his career-best at the championship
• LIV qualification challenges: Without automatic exemptions, LIV players face additional hurdles to compete in majors
• Recent form questions: Just one top-20 in his last 15 major starts suggests the decline is real

Whatever the reason for the withdrawal, this feels like a significant moment. The Dustin Johnson who dominated golf for stretches of the 2010s is clearly in a different chapter now. Whether he finds his way back into major fields remains to be seen, but for Royal Birkdale, the field will be missing a two-time major champion who once looked destined to add that Claret Jug to his collection.