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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The 2021 PGA Championship is right around the corner and the golfers are warming up for it by playing the tournaments in between. Dustin Johnson was scheduled to take part in the AT&T Byron Nelson this week but has pulled out of it in hopes of staying fit for the second major of the year. 

Johnson has been really unlucky at the PGA Championship in the last couple of years. He finished second in 2018 and 2019 and missed out on the opportunity in both years. Johnson has always delivered strong performances at this tournament and has high hopes for this year. 

This year’s PGA Championship will take place at the Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. The course has already earned some challenging remarks, and Dustin Johnson expressed his views as well. 

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“Well, playing to kill and I’m going to have to do everything right. It’s a really tough golf course. You know, obviously, first and foremost need to drive a well and then from there, if you can get the putter kind of hot, then you know, obviously I’ll feel like I’m having a really good chance,” Johnson mentioned during a recent appearance on ESPN. 

The expectations are high as Dustin Johnson has recorded two close finishes at the PGA Championship. However, the recent hindrance to his physical health has raised a cause for concern. 

Will the knee injury affect Dustin Johnson from playing at the PGA Championship?

Dustin Johnson recently informed he is pulling out of the AT&T Byron Nelson 2021. He’s once again experiencing discomfort on his surgically operated left knee and expressed his displeasure at withdrawing from the tournament. 

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“Unfortunately, the knee discomfort I occasionally experience has returned and after consultation with my team and trainers, I feel it is best that I remain at home and focus on my rehabilitation work,” Johnson mentioned in a statement

via Reuters

Johnson apologized to the sponsors and the organizers of AT&T Byron Nelson, but the decision had to be made. The World No. 1 could not risk playing through the pain and injure himself ahead of the PGA Championship. 

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He had to take a gamble and it seems like he’s made the right choice. Resting the knee for the PGA Championship is the top priority, even it if means he’ll miss the warm-up event ahead of the major. So one can positively expect to see Johnson competing at Kiawah Island for the PGA Championship.

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