Wayne Gretzky threatened to cancel daughter's wedding over Dustin Johnson's drug abuse scandal
Long before Dustin Johnson became a U.S. Open champion and world No. 1 golfer, he found himself at a crossroads — and standing in his path was none other than Wayne Gretzky. Back in 2016, as
Johnson
was battling substance abuse issues, the NHL legend reportedly issued a stern warning to his future son-in-law: clean up or there would be no wedding.
Behind closed doors, Wayne Gretzky laid down the law in 2016
Although Dustin Johnson and
Paulina Gretzky
had been engaged since 2013, their road to marriage was anything but smooth. Amid Johnson's well-documented struggles — including failed drug tests and a self-imposed break from the PGA Tour — Gretzky was not willing to turn a blind eye. According to a 2016 Fox report, the Hall of Famer privately cautioned Johnson that the wedding would be off if he didn't take accountability.
'I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced,' Johnson said at the time, stepping away from the tour to focus on recovery.
The pressure wasn't just public scrutiny — it was personal. Gretzky, fiercely protective of his daughter Paulina, wanted Johnson to not only change for himself but prove he could be a reliable partner and father.
From rehab to redemption — a championship comeback
Thankfully, Johnson took the challenge seriously. The golfer not only returned to the sport later that year, but made a powerful comeback by winning his first Major, the U.S. Open. A year later, he rose to become the world's top-ranked golfer, silencing doubters and solidifying his legacy.
Gretzky's hard stance clearly struck a chord. The 'Great One' wasn't just trying to intimidate — he was helping Johnson face reality. And in doing so, he may have saved both his career and his future with Paulina.
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After nearly a decade of engagement, Johnson and Paulina finally tied the knot in 2022, marking the end of a long, turbulent chapter. It's a testament to redemption, and perhaps to the power of a father's unwavering standards.
As for Gretzky, he never made the issue public — but his quiet intervention made all the difference.
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