Dustin Johnson could miss start of 2012 after knee surgery

Long hitting Dustin Johnson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday to repair cartilage damage in his right knee.

This procedure will side line the five time PGA Tour winner until at least mid-January, which could possibly keep him out of the first event of the year at the Tournament of Champions in Kapula, Hawaii -- Which begins on January 6th.

Johnson was expected to play this week at the Chevron World Challenge, of course he has now withdrawn from the event.

His agent David Winkle, said doctors have explained to them that he; on crutches now, will be able to begin chipping and putting within a few weeks and able to get back to regular preparations for the 2012 season by late December.

The surgeon that performed the procedure was Dr. George Caldwell. "He was in the hands of an excellent surgeon and a full and speedy recovery is expected," Winkle went on to say.

Johnson has been feeling this right knee pain as far back as the British Open in July, where he finished runner-up to Darren Clarke.

The fan favorite even went as far to apologize to fans via his twitter account saying, "Looking more and more like I'll be back on the horse in early January."

"All is well - no worries! Feelin' good...or is that the meds!? Appreciate all the support but it's pretty minor stuff." He went on to say after the surgery.

A win at the Barclays earlier this season in August, Johnson became the only player since Tiger Woods to claim a victory in each of his first four seasons on the PGA Tour.

Though the procedure was a minor one by all accounts, Johnson is still unclear if he will be able to tee it up at the first event of the year in Kapalua.