Dustin Johnson is returning to the PGA Tour from a six-month break in which he said Friday “it was time to grow up,” though he refused to discuss a published report that a positive test for cocaine is what led to his leave of absence.
“I’m not worried about what people think or what they say,” Johnson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “I’ve just got to be me. I’ve got a son, a future wife, and I’m really happy. I’m going to enjoy my life.”
Johnson has not competed since he missed the cut at the Canadian Open on July 25. Five days later, he said in a statement he was taking a leave of absence to seek professional help for what he described only as “personal challenges.”
Golf.com reported that he failed a drug test three times – for marijuana in 2009, and for cocaine in 2012 and 2014. The report said the PGA Tour suspended him for six months, though the tour took the rare step of publicly refuting that he was suspended.
Still, the fact Johnson returns exactly six months from announcing his leave of absence is sure to raise questions. His first tournament back will be the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Feb. 5-8.
