Dustin Johnson playing amid leave

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Thursday, August 7, 2014

Just days into his six-month leave of absence from professional golf, Dustin Johnson is said to be spending his time at a high-end resort in Idaho, according to a GolfDigest.com report.

Unnamed sources told the website that the 17th-ranked player in the world is playing golf at the Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Johnson, along with fiancée Paulina Gretzky, is familiar with the area because Paulina's father -- Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky -- has a hockey school there.

According to the report, Johnson nearly shot 59 on the Tom Fazio-designed course but settled for a 61.

Johnson's agent, David Winkle, told the website he did not know where his client was but that he had spoken to him daily and "he's in good spirits, and appreciates the support."

There is some debate about whether Johnson's break from golf is self-imposed, as the PGA Tour has stated, or the result of a failed drug test for cocaine, which Golf.com has reported.

Last Thursday, Johnson announced he was stepping away from golf, saying in a statement: "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."

Johnson is missing this week's PGA Championship, the final major of the year, and has said he will not be playing in the Ryder Cup at the end of September. He was nearly a lock to automatically qualify for the team on points.

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