Dustin Johnson And Kevin Na Involved In Tense Exchange

Dustin Johnson And Kevin Na Involved In Tense Exchange

Na Johnson Exchange
(Image credit: Getty Images)

World number one Dustin Johnson was involved in a tense exchange with Kevin Na during the WGC-Match Play, with Na annoyed about Johnson's pace of picking up his putt at the 11th hole.

Dustin Johnson And Kevin Na Involved In Tense Exchange 

In what was an already dramatic and tense final set of matches at the WGC-Match Play, Kevin Na would add yet more tension to the day by calling out world number one Dustin Johnson.

Playing the 11th hole, Johnson was faced with an eight-foot-putt for birdie to take a one up advantage. However, the world number one's putt would lip out, and, instead of waiting for his opponent to concede the par putt, which he would have, Johnson tapped back his ball.

After picking up his putt, Na didn't seem happy, with the American wanting to discuss the situation with Johnson on the green.

Watch the incident below:

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Speaking to Johnson, Na said: “I know it’s this [holding his hand about a foot apart], but you still have to wait until I say something,”

Na didn't end up calling a penalty on Johnson, and the two players halved the hole with pars. However, the incident seemed to have an affect on the world number one, who found the water hazard with his second shot on the 12th hole to fall back into a tie with Na.

Playing the last hole all-square, Na would hole a five-foot putt for birdie for an unlikely victory, with the pair exchanging a tense fist-bump as the final putt dropped.

Speaking after his final round, Na said: “His [putt] lipped out and he had 6 inches and obviously it's good, but I hadn't said anything and he whacked it. I froze there and looked at [caddie Kenny Harms] and I wasn't going to say that's a penalty, you're going to lose the hole. I was going to say, you know what, that was good anyway.”

Na Johnson Exchange

Garcia and Kuchar endured a similar scenario in 2019. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

There have been a few similar moments at this event before. In 2019, Sergio Garcia backhanded a putt during his quarter final match with Matt Kuchar. The Spaniard had missed his putt and lost the hole when Kuchar informed him he hadn’t conceded it.

Johnson, who has now failed to advance out of pool play for the third consecutive time in this event, declined to comment.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x