Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from the Hero World Challenge this week in the Bahamas because he wants to continue therapy and practice after recently undergoing arthroscopic left knee surgery, and plans to be ready for the Presidents Cup next week in Australia.
The fourth-ranked Johnson was replaced in the Hero field by Chez Reavie, who claimed his second PGA Tour victory in the Travelers Championship among six top-10 finishes last season.
The 21st Hero World Challenge, with a 16-player field, will be played Wednesday through Saturday at Albany Golf Course www.albanybahamas.com in New Providence, Bahamas.
“After a lot of careful thought and consultation, I have decided that it is in my best interest if I withdraw from next week’s Hero World Challenge,” DJ said in a post on Twitter.
“While my recovery from knee surgery is complete, I feel another week of physical therapy and … practice will best prepare me for the Presidents Cup. I have informed Captain (Tiger) Woods of my decision, which he fully supports and understands, and cannot wait to tee it up with him and my teammates next week in Australia.”
Johnson captured the WGC-Mexico Championship this year and tied for second in the Masters and PGA Championship, but did not play up to his standards in the last part of the PGA Tour season.
Woods is host of the Hero World Challenge and Captain of the United States team for the 13th Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia on Dec. 12-14.
That Johnson plans to play in Australia is good news for the Presidents Cup, which recently lost Brooks Koepka (knee), who was replaced on the U.S. Team by Rickie Fowler, and Jason Day (back), whose spot on the International Team was taken by Byeong Hun An of South Korea.
