World number one Dustin Johnson confirmed on Saturday he did not put his name forward for a spot on the US team for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and will instead focus on the PGA Tour.
Johnson, who said he had not given the Olympics much thought, did not sign up to be included in the pool of golfers seeking one of four possible berths.
Up to four players from a country can qualify for the Summer Games provided all four are in the top 15 of the world rankings after the US Open in June.
There are currently 11 Americans, including Johnson, in the top 15.
“I actually didn’t really ever decide whether I was going to play or not, I just didn’t sign up,” explained Johnson following his third round at the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Saturday.
“It’s right in the middle of a big stretch of golf for me, so that was the reason I was kind of waffling on it a little bit.
“It’s a long way to travel, and I think WGC is the week right after it.
“The British is a couple weeks before it. It’s a lot of travelling at a time where it’s important for me to feel like I’m focused playing on the PGA Tour.”
The Olympic golf tournament starts on July 29 just 11 days after the final round of the British Open at Royal St. George.
