As much as golf is an individual sport, the bagman behind the golfer forms the backbone of the player. Caddies play a similar role to the backstage crew, without whom the entire production would have many difficulties. Golfers require caddies in order to play their game flawlessly. Additionally, these athletes frequently rely on the field expertise of their bagmen.
LIV golfer Dustin Johnson has been an incredible golfer throughout his golf journey. DJ is the highest-paid golfer in 2023, per the Forbes ranking. As of June 2023, the captain of the 4Aces GC is claimed to have earned $106 million on the course alone. With so much success in his hands, who is the guy whom DJ blindly trusts with his weaponry? Let’s learn all about him.
Meet DJ’s caddie, who also turns out to be his brother!
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Having a family member as a caddie is rare, but DJ is fortunate in this area. He has been fortunate to have been accompanied by his brother, Austin Johnson, around the course. Since 2013, Austin has been carrying DJ’s clubs on the golf courses. Before becoming a looper for Dustin, Austin earned a degree from the College of Charleston. Additionally, he had a thorough plan for pursuing pharmaceutical sales. But destiny had other ideas.
DJ intervened and asked him to join on his golf journey, albeit in an emergency. Johnson’s previous caddie, Bobby Brown, couldn’t travel due to the birth of his child, which prompted the golfer to call upon his brother. The move worked very well, with the duo securing their first win in just their second star together.
They continued to have great times on the field together, including DJ’s two major wins, the Masters Tournament in 2020, and the U.S. Open in 2016. Their collaboration saw 17 PGA Tour wins as well.
It must have been surreal for DJ to have a sibling by his side who not only supports him but also gives him crucial game-related advice. “You travel with your caddie, eat with your caddie, and spend all day with your caddie. It needs to be someone you like and someone you trust. I’m never going to have with anyone else what I have with him,” said Dustin Johnson.
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Austin received the 2016 PGA Tour Caddie of the Year honor in recognition of his efforts. DJ has had many caddies in the past. But his current one has been the missing piece of the puzzle in DJ’s golfing career.
Austin Johnson once praised LIV Golf, especially in terms of caddies
DJ was the face of the PGA Tour. Therefore, he needed further support when he decided to change leagues. Thankfully, Paulina Gretzky, his wife, and his brother provided for him well. DJ received both a relaxed schedule and a healthy bank balance thanks to LIV Golf.
Read More: What Is OWGR? Why Are PGA Tour and LIV Golf Dependent on It?
Along with DJ, his brother is also reaping the fruit. Austin is really pleased with how caddies are treated on the Saudi-sponsored circuit. Caddies are permitted to enter player dining and eat, according to Austin. “You feel more included,” he said.
Austin said that the PGA Tour was a wonderful place to work as well. But LIV Golf provides caddies with higher-quality employment. Everything is paid for, and when the caddies know they will surely receive a paycheck, everything is even more wonderful. “I sound like a spoiled little kid but it’s just nice to be done with the round and I can go sit up in the air conditioning, have lunch with Dustin, have a decent meal versus walking over to some tent and hoping there’s food in there.”
Who is the leading lady of Austin Johnson?
Austin and Sam Maddox, his long-term partner, got married in 2018. And only a few weeks ago, the couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Saige Maddox Johnson.
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Sam has an accounting degree and attended the same university as Austin. She was also a first-team All-CAA tennis player.
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She and her sister-in-law, Paulina, are frequently seen together on courses. Sam, who enjoys golfing thanks to the company of her spouse, frequently updates her social media followers on her golfing exploits.
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Dustin and Austin are the power duo on the golf course. Let’s see how their partnership will do in the upcoming 2023 LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah.
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