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No. 1 golfer Dustin Johnson cites family time, jet lag in Pebble Beach withdrawal

Dustin Johnson's abrupt withdrawal Monday night from the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am means that no Top-10 players will compete this weekend in Pebble Beach, Calif. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 3 | Dustin Johnson's abrupt withdrawal Monday night from the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am means that no Top-10 players will compete this weekend in Pebble Beach, Calif. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Dustin Johnson, the world's top golfer, withdrew from the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am days before it tees off in Pebble Beach, Calif. His agent cited family time and jet lag as reasons for the late withdrawal.

Johnson was removed Monday from the field on the tournament's official website. The four-day tournament tees off Thursday in Pebble Beach, Calif.

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The 2020 Masters Tournament champion on Sunday won the Saudi International -- a European Tour tournament -- for the second time in three years. He has competed in just one PGA Tour event this year.

"Following his successful week in Saudi Arabia, Dustin has decided it would be best to enjoy a week at home before the Genesis Invitational and the World Golf Championships at the Concession," said David Winkle, Johnson's agent and manager at Hambric Sports Management.

"Other than being a bit jet-lagged, he is feeling great and looking forward to the weeks ahead. While he is disappointed to miss the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which is always one of his favorite weeks, he feels his decision is for the best."

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Johnson was the biggest name remaining in the field for the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His withdrawal means the tournament's 156-player field at Pebble Beach now lacks a single player ranked among the Top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Just three players in the field rank among the Top 20.

The four-day tournament will air on Golf Channel and CBS. First- and second-round play will air from 3 to 6 p.m. EST Thursday and Friday on Golf Channel.

The third round will airs from 1 to 3 p.m. EST Saturday on Golf Channel and from 3 to 6 p.m. EST Saturday on CBS. The final round will airs from 1 to 3 p.m. EST Sunday on Golf Channel and from 3 to 6:30 p.m. EST Sunday on CBS.

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am typically features celebrities and amateurs who play alongside the PGA Tour stars, but the pro-am portion of this year's event has been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Fans won't attend the tournament because of COVID-19-related safety restrictions in Monterey County, Calif.

The scaled-down tournament will use just two courses, instead of the typical three courses golfers use to compete. Play takes place Thursday through Sunday on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.

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This year's cut will take place after two rounds, instead of after three like in past years.

Nick Taylor, the 2020 Pebble Beach Pro-Am champion, will attempt to defend his title. Former FedExCup champions Jordan Spieth, Brandt Snedeker and Bill Haas also are in the field. Veteran golfer Phil Mickelson will attempt to win a record sixth title at this year's event.

No. 11 Patrick Cantlay, No. 15 Daniel Berger, No. 17 Paul Casey, No. 48 Jason Day and No. 103 Francesco Molinari also are in the field at Pebble Beach.

Jonathan Byrd has replaced Johnson in the field. Byrd is ranked No. 592.

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