Johnson takes leave of absence from golf

Dustin Johnson is taking a leave of absence from golf to seek help for “personal challenges,” a swift end to his season that will keep him from playing the PGA Championship, the FedEx Cup playoffs and the Ryder Cup.

In a statement Thursday from Hambric Sports Management, the 30-year-old Johnson said his leave of absence was effective immediately. It did not indicate how long he would be out, though agent David Winkle told the PGA of America he would not be at the PGA Championship next week at Valhalla in Louisville, or the Ryder Cup at the end of September.

“I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced,” Johnson said. “By committing the time and resources necessary to improve my mental health, physical well-being and emotional foundation, I am confident that I will be better equipped to fulfill my potential and become a consistent champion.”

He asked for privacy “as I embark upon this mission of self-improvement.”

Johnson, who tied for fourth in the U.S. Open and tied for 12th in the British Open, was No. 5 in the Ryder Cup standings and virtually certain to earn one of nine automatic spots when qualifying ends next week at the PGA Championship.

Johnson was replaced in the PGA Championship by Jerry Kelly. Pat Perez is now the first alternate, and will get into the PGA provided the Bridgestone Invitational winner is already eligible.

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Tiger Woods made six birdies to account for his mistakes and opened with a 2-under 68 at the Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday, still four shots behind Marc Leishman of Australia, who shot 64 on a perfect day for scoring at Firestone.

Woods opened with a 69 at the British Open two weeks ago, only to plunge down the leaderboard the rest of the week at Royal Liverpool.

“I hit a lot of good shots,” Woods said. “I dropped shots at three holes out there today (and) got it right back on the very next hole.”

British Open champion Rory McIlroy, who next week will chase his second straight major in the PGA Championship, was among the leaders until not paying attention to packed sand in a bunker that sent him to a double bogey late in his round. He still wound up with a 69.

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Chris Baker, from Seymour, Ind., fired a 7-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the Stonbrae Classic in Hayward, Calif.

Baker had six birdies and an eagle-3 on the par-5 third, leading a trio at 6 under — Tyler Weworski, Hugo Leon and Cameron Wilson.

Among the other players with Kentuckiana connections: former University of Louisville star Adam Hadwin was tied for fifth at 5 under, and Justin Thomas, from Goshen who is out of St. Xavier, was in a group tied for 17th at 3 under. Louisville native Jared Wolfe, who played for Murray State, was among a large number of players who hadn’t completed their rounds late Thursday.