Dustin Johnson hints steamy moment with Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina Gretzky caused him back injury, not golf

Dustin Johnson, one of golf’s most enigmatic and successful players, recently opened up in a way few professional athletes do—mixing humor with candor while addressing a back injury that once sparked plenty of headlines. As the 2025 PGA Championship unfolded, Johnson's performance—marked by a disappointing 12-over finish and a missed cut at Quail Hollow—wasn't the only thing fans were talking about.

Dustin Johnson jokes about 'lifting a bigger kid' while explaining previous back injury
Last season, Johnson was forced to sit out part of the golf calendar due to a lower back injury. When asked whether the injury occurred while swinging a club or lifting a child, Johnson slyly responded, “Yeah, lifting up a kid, just a bigger kid,” with a grin—clearly referring to his wife, Paulina Gretzky . The remark instantly sent ripples of laughter through the press room. One surprised journalist exclaimed, “I’m done!” while another added, “I don’t know how to follow that up.”

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While playful in delivery, Johnson’s comment shed light on how personal life and professional sport often overlap. The two-time major champion emphasized that the injury wasn’t golf-related, sidestepping a deeper explanation while still offering a headline-worthy moment.

Struggles on the LIV circuit and fading Ryder Cup hopes
Despite entering the PGA Championship healthy, Johnson has struggled to regain his top form in recent years. His LIV Golf performances have lacked the dominance he once displayed on the PGA Tour , and his fading visibility has reportedly impacted his standing with Team USA’s Ryder Cup selection.

Reflecting on a slow start to last season, Johnson shared, “I was ready at the start... I tweaked my back right before [Saudi International]. So I didn’t hit balls for a few weeks… just taken me a while to get back.” He admitted he developed “some bad habits,” but remains optimistic: “Swinging it well, feeling good, got confidence.”

Also Read: Why the NHL never wanted Wayne Gretzky's son Ty Gretzky— even with the name

Johnson and Gretzky have been together since 2013, engaged the same year, and married in 2022. Despite some public ups and downs, including rumors of a rift in 2018, the couple appears strong. With two sons, Tatum and River, their relationship remains a constant presence in Johnson’s public persona—and apparently, sometimes even his back pain.