“That tension was already there” - Dustin Johnson insists there won’t be any tension at the Masters Champions Dinner

Amid rising talks about possible tensions at the 2023 Masters Champions Dinner, Dustin Johnson has come out to state that everything will go with ease. The 2021 champion dismissed any chances of tension at the dinner taking place in April at Augusta National.

Earlier, world No. 3 PGA Tour star Jon Rahm had claimed that there may be "tension" at the dinner if LIV golfers were allowed. The Spaniard’s comment was pointed at his uneasiness in sharing the table with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Johnson at the Augusta clubhouse.

However, Johnson dismissed the thought and said that the players talking about such ‘tensions’ already had an issue with LIV players.

Speaking from this week’s Asian Tour Saudi International, Dustin Johnson said:

“The Masters, of course, means a lot to me since I first teed-up in 2009 and even more so being fitted by Tiger (Woods) with the green jacket in 2020. It’s also something I want to be a part of forever, so I am always very pleased to play in the Masters.

"I was so honored to host the dinner in 2021 and each and every one of us look forward to honoring Scotty (Scheffler) this year and that’s the great tradition that is Augusta National.”

Dustin Johnson added:

“I heard what was said about possible tension at the dinner but there will not be any tension from me and, besides I still have a great relationship with all my fellow Masters champions, so I don’t see why there will be any issues or tension at the dinner.

"If there are any guys saying there maybe tension that it has nothing to do with a few of us playing LIV compared to competing on the PGA Tour, as that tension was already there”.

Johnson was speaking to the media after pulling out of the competition in Saudi Arabia due to a back injury. The 38-year-old golfer endured the same during the practice round on Wednesday at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Jeddah, resulting in him opting out of the tournament.

However, he indicated confidence in pulling through the injury ahead of his next event, the inaugural event of the 2023 LIV Series in Mayakoba, Mexico on February 24th.

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Phil Mickelson on the Masters Champions Dinner talks

Dustin Johnson’s remark on the Masters Champions Dinner comes just days after another former champion and fellow LIV golfer Phil Mickelson made similar comments.

Speaking about the talks on possible ‘tension’, Mickelson said there won’t be any issues arising at the event. The 52-year-old dismissed any uneasiness at the event and said that he maintains good relations with several players set to be at the dinner table.

Speaking in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Phil Mickelson said:

“I’ve had a number of guys thank me profusely. I’ve got the same close relationships with the players I’ve been playing with around here as I’ve had in the past. The relationships that are going to be affected were not really close and were more acquaintances. Their views are going to be altered by public perception or whatnot. The friends are still close.”

He added:

“And I’ve been appreciative of the number of players who thanked me for however big or small it may have been to get some of these changes that occurred (on the PGA Tour). It’s a decent number of guys; I don’t want to call out guys and who they are. But it’s been a good learning experience.”

Furthermore, Mickelson pointed out that he found “peace” in not playing another PGA Tour event.