Tournament promotions celebrated Dustin Johnson’s appearance at next week’s RBC Canadian Open. He, apparently, had other plans.
It was announced Tuesday night that Johnson would be part of the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event in London, June 9-11. That overlaps with the Canadian Open, June 9-12.
This is the first Canadian Open since 2019 because of the pandemic. Johnson, who became an RBC ambassador in 2018, won the tournament that year at Glen Abbey. RBC released a statement after the LIV Golf announcement saying it was “extremely disappointed in his decision.” RBC also sponsors the Heritage, which is played on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the week after the Masters.
Graeme McDowell, who is also an RBC ambassador, won the Heritage in 2013. He is committed to the first LIV Golf field as well.
On Wednesday, in a statement to ESPN, RBC reportedly announced that it was terminating its relationship with both players.
“As a result of the decisions made by professional golfers Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell to play the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener, RBC is terminating its sponsorship agreement with both players. We wish them well in their future endeavours,” the statement said, according to ESPN.
Updated June 1 at 1:53 p.m. ET.