Kevin Na and Dustin Johnson Once Waited Till Their Match Was Over to Settle a Feud

No matter what the sport, one has to be precise and accurate with all rules. This is why Kevin Na’s and Dustin Johnson little controversy at the 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was dealt with as the officials saw fit, making sure the right call was made. However, the whole ordeal was solved after the match.

At the match, Na was allowed to concede a putt retroactively, something which is otherwise not allowed. However, under the circumstances, the same was allowed.

Why did Kevin Na and Dustin Johnson’s on-course drama end after the match?

Months ago, in March, Kevin Na and Johnson were in a bit of a disagreement at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. While Na was going to concede Johnson’s putt for birdie on Hole No. 11, Johnson picked up the ball and left the green. Na ended up calling Johnson back, letting him know that he had not yet conceded.

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Though Na was going to concede, he wanted Johnson to wait for confirmation. “I know it’s this [close], but you still have to wait,” Na told Johnson. The older golfer apparently only wanted Johnson to know about his opinion, not wanting to take the hole away from him.

“I called him over and said, ‘Hey, I’m not going to take the hole from you, but I just want to let you know before I said something you whacked the ball,’” Na added. “But I’m going to give that putt to you so we’ll call it a halve and go to the next hole”. 

However, the whole situation turned out to be a misunderstanding on Johnson’s side.

What did Dustin Johnson actually hear?

As per Gray Young, the Tour’s VP of rules and competitions, Johnson heard Na say, “that’s good”. In the end, he left with the ball. Because Na did not know, they ended up meeting with the rules committee. They spoke to Johnson first, the 24-time PGA Tour winner stating that he heart what he said he did, as it was already windy.

Johnson would have been allowed to replace the ball and go again, but since Na did want to concede, they let the situation be. If Johnson did not hear him, they both might have ended up disqualified.

Despite everything, what everyone wanted was a proper solution, which was granted.

Having said that, both players played the CJ Cup last. Na finished T49, while Justin finished T45.

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