Dustin Johnson has been a formidable presence in the LIV Golf series since his departure from the PGA Tour in 2022. Now, at 40 years old, Johnson seems to have already outlined his plans for when his competitive days on the LIV Golf circuit come to an end.
Johnson made headlines when he left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf, securing a reported $125 million deal with Greg Norman and his team in June 2022. He quickly established himself as a dominant force in the new league, starting with a victory in Boston during LIV’s inaugural season.
Throughout that first season, Johnson showcased his skills by becoming LIV Golf’s first individual champion and leading his team, the 4Aces, to victory in the inaugural Team Championship. Since then, he has continued to add to his accolades, including wins in Tulsa last May and Las Vegas earlier this season. Despite the challenges of maintaining such a high level of performance, Johnson remains one of the top players in the game.
However, according to Chris Rosaasen, the General Manager of the 4Aces, Johnson is already thinking about his future beyond playing. Rosaasen shared that Johnson, who recently turned 40, has plans to remain an integral part of the LIV franchise even after he steps away from competitive play. Johnson, who serves as both captain and owner of the 4Aces team, intends to continue his association with the franchise for the foreseeable future.
“DJ is a captain and owner of the team, so his name will be tied to this for a long time,” Rosaasen explained in an interview with Bunkered. “But realistically, I don’t see him playing 15 years from now.” Rosaasen also hinted at a new direction for the LIV league and the 4Aces, suggesting that Johnson’s eventual retirement will pave the way for new talent to emerge.
In addition to maintaining his involvement with the team, Johnson and Rosaasen have discussed creating an academy-like system to develop the next generation of 4Aces players. “We’ve been working on building the foundations for what this team will be in the future,” Rosaasen said. “That includes scouting young talent who might join the team in the next 5-10 years.”
The idea is to start identifying and nurturing young golfers early, with plans to establish a developmental program akin to a minor league for the 4Aces. “We’ve started looking at potential players, even those still in high school, to sponsor and develop,” Rosaasen continued. “These days, players are turning pro younger and younger, so it’s important to start looking early.”
As Johnson continues to compete at the highest level, his forward-thinking approach ensures that his legacy in the LIV Golf series will extend far beyond his playing days, shaping the future of the 4Aces and the next generation of golfers.