As the PGA Tour and LIV Golf inch closer to a merger, Kisner argues that only a handful of LIV defectors are truly missed—and Dustin Johnson isn’t one of them.
The ongoing PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf rivalry has defined professional golf for over two years, but with negotiations progressing, the conversation is shifting. Instead of debating who left, PGA Tour players are now asking: Who is actually missed?
For Kevin Kisner, the answer is not many.
Speaking on the ForePlay Podcast, the PGA Tour veteran questioned the true impact of LIV players leaving and even cast doubt on whether two-time major champion Dustin Johnson is still a world-class golfer.
“Who are we missing? Four, maybe?” Kisner said.
“Is it Jon Rahm not playing with Rory McIlroy? I don’t know.”
“I don’t even know if DJ (Dustin Johnson) is a world-class player anymore. As little as I see his name, I just don’t think that is what we are missing.”
Has Dustin Johnson Fallen Off?
Kisner’s comments strike at a larger debate surrounding LIV’s long-term impact on its star players.
When Johnson defected to LIV Golf in 2022, he was still a dominant force, having won 24 PGA Tour titles, including the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters.
But since then? His results have been underwhelming:
- T44 in the 2025 LIV Golf opener in Riyadh
- 14th place in the 2024 LIV season standings
- 5th in 2023
- Won the individual title in 2022
And his major championship performances in 2024 raised serious concerns:
- Missed the cut at the Masters & U.S. Open—two tournaments he once won
- T43 at the PGA Championship
- T31 at The Open Championship
While Johnson was once an automatic contender, his fall in competitiveness raises the question: Is LIV Golf hurting player performance?
Kisner on the Future: More Young Stars, Less Nostalgia
Beyond Johnson, Kisner believes golf is evolving, with younger stars replacing big names faster than ever.
“The way the tour is shaping up, there is going to be way more turnover than there has ever been.”
With DP World Tour and Korn Ferry Tour players gaining more PGA Tour access, Kisner predicts longtime stars will struggle to hold onto their spots.
“Every kid that I watch that comes out is 25 years old, hits it 350 in the air, and makes putts now. They are going to start taking some of these household names’ jobs.”
That shift, he argues, means the absence of players like Johnson, Brooks Koepka, or even Rahm isn’t as damaging as some might think.
Is Dustin Johnson Still a Top-Tier Golfer?
Kisner’s remarks may seem harsh, but they reflect a growing sentiment:
- Has Johnson’s game regressed since joining LIV Golf?
- Would his return to the PGA Tour even move the needle?
For now, his record speaks for itself—and it’s no longer that of a player who dominates leaderboards week in and week out.
As the PGA-LIV merger inches closer, the real question might not be about who’s coming back—but whether they still belong at the top.
