Sky Sports analyst Iona Stephen experienced an embarrassing moment when she mistakenly referred to Dustin Johnson as Justin Dohnson during a live TV interview. At the time, Johnson was on the brink of becoming the world No. 1 golfer after winning the inaugural Saudi International tournament at the Al Murooj Golf Course.
The event marked the first European Tour competition held in Saudi Arabia and was among the initial co-sanctioned tournaments between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Stephen, feeling pressured to correctly name the event in her interview with Johnson, ended up mixing up his name due to the stress of ensuring she said “Saudi International” instead of “Saudi Invitational.”
During a conversation with Peter Finch on the Rough Cut Golf Podcast, Stephen recalled the incident, expressing her embarrassment for the mistake. Despite the mishap, Stephen has been a well-received member of the Sky Sports Golf team since 2020, with a background in professional golfing. Notably, she covered The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where Scottie Scheffler emerged as the victor.
Meanwhile, Johnson, who finished T23 at the Saudi International, has transitioned to the LIV Golf league in 2022 after a successful career on the PGA Tour and European Tour. He now captains the 4Aces team, alongside players like Thomas Pieters, Harold Varner III, and Patrick Reed, enjoying continued success in the new league.
Other notable golfers, such as Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickelson, have also made the move to LIV Golf, competing for substantial cash prizes in individual and team events. The remaining events in the LIV Golf season include stops in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Michigan, offering exciting competition for both players and fans.