Deja Vu All Over Again? DJ First Star To Bow Out Of Tokyo 2020

Dustin Johnson’s intention to devote himself to the Playoffs(C) suggests defections will become a focus of the Olympic Games build-up. Again.

Last time it was Zika virus, this time if may be the Coronavirus. Or, in Johnson’s case, Playoff Fever.

From Eamon Lynch’s exclusive, Johnson agent David Winkle confirmed the Tokyo 2020 defection:

“At the end of the day, it’s a matter of personal preference and priority. As much as he would be honored to be an Olympian, the FedEx Cup Playoffs are also very important to him. Having had a few close calls in the Playoffs, he really wants to win them before his time is done and feels that he wouldn’t be giving himself the best opportunity to do so if he added a lengthy international trip just prior to their beginning (and shortly after returning from two weeks in Europe).”

With Brooks Koepka on the fence and Tiger Woods signaling that his schedule will be very limited, the men’s portion of Olympic golf is staring down a no-show narrative. Again. And it’s only March.

Beyond the Olympics and possible pandemics, a rush of scheduling-based defections should warrant a condensed schedule reconsideration. At least, in Olympic years. Again.