Who's who: Johnny Miller

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Who's who: Johnny Miller

  • Name:

    John Laurence "Johnny" Miller
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    April 29, 1947 in San Francisco, California.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Olympic Club, San Francisco.
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; television commentator; golf course designer; golf writer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1969 (aged 22)

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (2): US Open (1973); The Open (1976). Ryder Cup player (1975, '81). Total professional wins (35), including PGA Tour (25), European Tour (2) and Japan Tour (1). PGA Tour leading money winner (1974). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996).

Golf course design

Miller's best known work includes, but is not limited to:

CALIFORNIA: Maderas (1999, with Robert Muir Graves & Damian Pascuzzo); The Bridges, San Ramon (1999, w/RMG & DP); Chardonnay (1987, w/Jack Barry); Eagle Ridge (w/Ron Fream & David Dale); Eagle Vines (2004); Metropolitan (2003, w/Fred Bliss); StoneTree (2000, w/Sandy Tatum, Jim Summers & Fred Bliss); Whitney Oaks (1997); Schaffer's Mill (2008, w/John Harbottle).

NEVADA: Resort course, Genoa Lakes (1998, w/John Harbottle); Badlands (1995, w/Chi Chi Rodriguez).

UTAH: Entrada at Snow Canyon (1996, w/Fred Bliss); Thanksgiving Point (1997).

GREAT BRITAIN: Collingtree Park, England (1987).

JAPAN: Wingfield GC in Nikko; Shimoakima in Gunma.

Did you know?

Miller was one of the world's best players in the 1970s and '80s, a prolific winner on the PGA Tour and two-time major champion. After his highly successful professional career, Miller became a leading golf commentator and analyst on NBC Sports, as well as a golf course designer. Many of his course designs are in his home state of Calfornia, as well as nearby Nevada and Utah, and further afield in Japan and the UK.

Top tournaments won by Johnny Miller

1994
America
281 (-7)
$225,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

$225,000

Title sponsor

AT&T

Played as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Feb 3-6). Second-placed Tom Watson (USA), Kirk Triplett (USA), Corey Pavin (USA) and Jeff Maggert (USA) finished 1 shot behind Miller (USA), who recorded the last of his 25 PGA Tour wins. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Poppy Hills GC and Spyglass Hill GC].

1987
America
278 (-10)
$108,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

278 (-10)

Prize money

$108,000

Title sponsor

AT&T

Played as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Jan 29-Feb 1). Second-placed Payne Stewart (USA) finished 1 shot behind Miller (USA). [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].

1983
America
278 (-10)
$72,000
Honda

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

278 (-10)

Prize money

$72,000

Title sponsor

Honda

Played as the Honda Inverrary Classic (March 3-6; for the last time at Inverrary CC). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 2 shots behind Miller (USA). [East course, Inverrary CC, Ft Lauderdale, FL].

1983
America
Boca West CC
191 (-25)
$50,000
Chrysler

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Boca West CC

Score

191 (-25)

Prize money

$50,000

Title sponsor

Chrysler

Played as the inaugural Chrysler Team Championship (Dec 15-18; PGA Tr post-season two-man better-ball unofficial money event). Second-placed Al Geiberger & Peter Oosterhuis (Eng) finished 1 shot behind winning team of Johnny Miller & Jack Nicklaus. Reduced to 54 holes due to rain. [No.1 course, Boca West CC, Boca Raton, FL. Earlier rounds also used the No.2 course, and Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

270 (-18)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

Wickes

Played as the Wickes-Andy Williams San Diego Open (Jan 28-31). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 1 shot behind Miller (USA). [South course, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA].

1981
America
265 (-15)
$54,000
Joe Garagiola

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

265 (-15)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

Joe Garagiola

Played as the Joe Garagiola Tucson Open (Jan 8-11). Second-placed Lon Hinkle (USA) finished 2 shots behind Johnny Miller (USA), who claimed the last of his four wins in this event, and 20th overall PGA Tour win. [North course, Randolph GC, Tucson, AZ].

1981
America
270 (-14)
$54,000
Glen Campbell

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

Glen Campbell

Played as the Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open (Feb 19-22). Second-placed Tom Weiskopf (USA) finished 2 shots behind Miller (USA). [Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA].

Category

Africa

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

$500,000

Title sponsor

Nedbank

The inaugural Sun City Golf Challenge (Dec 31, 1981-Jan 3, 1982; unofficial event; limited field of five top tour professionals). Miller (USA) beat Seve Balleteros (Esp) with a par at the ninth playoff hole (par-4 18th), to collect the then richest ever prize in golf. [Gary Player CC, Sun City Resort, North West Prov, South Africa].

1980
America
274 (-14)
$54,000
Jackie Gleason

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

Jackie Gleason

Played as Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic (March 6-9). Second-placed Charles Coody (USA) and Bruce Lietzke (USA) finished 2 shots behind Miller (USA). [East course, Inverrary CC, Ft Lauderdale, FL].

1979
Europe
Saint-Nom-La-Breteche
281
£9,478
Lancome

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Saint-Nom-La-Breteche

Score

281

Prize money

£9,478

Title sponsor

Lancome

Played as the Trophee Lancome. Won by Johnny Miller (USA). [Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, nr Paris, France].

1976
Majors
279 (-9)
£7,500
R&A

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

£7,500

Title sponsor

R&A

The Open Championship (105th) (July 7-10). Second-placed Seve Ballesteros (Esp) and Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 6 shots behind Miller (USA). [Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, Merseyside].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

344 (-16)

Prize money

$36,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Bob Hope Desert Classic (Feb 4-8). Second-placed Rik Massengale (USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Miller (USA). [Indian Wells CC, Coachella Valley, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Bermuda Dunes CC; Eldorado CC; La Quinta CC].

1976
America
274 (-14)
$40,000
NBC

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

NBC

Played as the NBC Tucson Open (Jan 8-11). Second-placed Howard Twitty (USA) finished 3 shots behind Johnny Miller (USA), who recorded his third straight win in this tournament. [Catalina course, Tucson National Resort, Tucson, AZ].

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Second-placed Bob Shearer (Aus), Hseih Min-nan (Taiw) and Ben Arda (Phil) finished 2 shots behind Johnny Miller (USA), who won the International Trophy for best individual score in the World Cup of Golf. Team winners of the Cup: Johnny Miller & Lou Graham (USA). [Navatanee GC, Bangkok, Thailand].

1975
America
263 (-25)
$40,000
Dean Martin

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

263 (-25)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

Dean Martin

Played as the Dean Martin Tucson Open (Jan 16-19). Second-placed John Mahaffey (USA) finished 9 shots behind defending champion Johnny Miller (USA), who shot a final round 11-under-par 61 to clinch victory. Miller also won the PGA Tour's Phoenix Open a week earlier. [Catalina course, Tucson National Resort, Tucson, AZ].

1975
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
260 (-24)
$30,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

260 (-24)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 9-12). Second-placed Jerry Heard (USA) finished 14 shots behind defending champion and runaway winner Miller (USA). [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

1975
America
Bermuda Dunes CC
339 (-21)
$32,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Bermuda Dunes CC

Score

339 (-21)

Prize money

$32,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Bob Hope Desert Classic (Feb 5-9). Second-placed Bob Murphy (USA) finished 3 shots behind Miller (USA). [Bermuda Dunes CC, Coachella Valley, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Indian Wells CC; Tamarisk CC; La Quinta CC].

1975
America
272 (-16)
$35,000
Kaiser Intl.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$35,000

Title sponsor

Kaiser Intl.

Played as the Kaiser International Open Invitational (Oct 2-5). Second-placed Rod Curl (USA) finished 3 shots behind Johnny Miller (USA). [North course, Silverado Resort, Napa, CA].

1974
Awards
x
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Score

x

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Miller (USA) won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

269 (-19)

Prize money

$50,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Westchester Classic (Aug 22-25). Second-placed Don Bies (USA) finished 2 shots behind Miller (USA). [West course, Westchester CC, Rye, NY].

1974
America
208 (-8)
$27,500
Bing Crosby

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

$27,500

Title sponsor

Bing Crosby

Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Jan 3-6; PGA Tour season-opener). Second-placed Grier Jones (USA) finished 4 shots behind Miller (USA). Event reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].

1974
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
271 (-13)
$30,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

271 (-13)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 10-13). Second-placed Lanny Wadkins (USA) finished 1 shot behind Miller (USA), who posted his fifth PGA Tour win. [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Tournament of Champions (April 25-28). Second-placed Bud Allin (USA) and John Mahaffey (USA) finished 1 shot behind Miller (USA). [North course, La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, Calif. Now known as Champions course].

1974
America
272 (-16)
$30,000
Dean Martin

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

Dean Martin

Played as the Dean Martin Tucson Open (Jan 17-20). Second-placed Ben Crenshaw (USA) finished 3 shots behind Johnny Miller (USA), who set a PGA Tour record in winning the opening three events of the 1974 season. [Catalina course, Tucson National Resort, Tucson, AZ].

1974
Japan
274 (-14)
US$33,333
Dunlop

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

US$33,333

Title sponsor

Dunlop

Played as the inaugural Dunlop Phoenix Tournament (Dec 5-8; Japan Tr season-ending event). Lu Liang-huan "Mr Lu" (Taiw) finished 7 shots behind Miller (USA), who claimed his first and only Japan Tour win, and ninth tournament title of the year. [Phoenix CC, Miyazaki, Japan].

1974
Awards
$353,021
see Score
PGA Tour

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Score

$353,021

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

PGA Tour

Miller (USA) was the PGA Tour 1974 leading money winner, with earnings of $353,021 on the Tour. Jack Nicklaus (USA) was second with $238,178; Hubert Green (USA) was third with $211,709.

1974
America
271 (-17)
$30,000
Kaiser Intl.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

Kaiser Intl.

Played as the Kaiser International Open Invitational (Sept 26-29). Second-placed Billy Casper (USA) and Lee Trevino (USA) finished 8 shots behind Johnny Miller (USA). [North course, Silverado Resort, Napa, CA].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

281 (-3)

Prize money

$60,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the World Open Golf Championship (Sept 12-15). Miller (USA) beat Jack Nicklaus (USA) and Frank Beard (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. Bob Murphy (USA) was eliminated at the first playoff hole. Miller recorded his tenth win on the PGA Tour. [No.2 course, Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina].

1974
America
276 (-8)
$40,000
Sea Pines

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

276 (-8)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

Sea Pines

Played as the Sea Pines Heritage Classic (March 28-31). Second-placed Gibby Gilbert (USA) finished 3 shots behind Miller (USA), who won this event for the second time in three years. [Harbour Town Links, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, SC].

1973
Majors
279 (-5)
$35,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

279 (-5)

Prize money

$35,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Open (73rd) (Jun 14-17). Second-placed John Schlee (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time major championship winner Miller (USA). [Oakmont CC, nr Pittsburgh, PA].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) finished 3 shots behind Miller (USA), who won the International Trophy for best individual score in the World Cup of Golf. Team winners of the Cup: Jack Nicklaus & Johnny Miller (USA). [Royal (Real) Las Brisas, Nueva Andalucía, Costa del Sol; at the time known as Las Brisas GC].

1973
Europe
Saint-Nom-La-Breteche
277
Lancome

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Saint-Nom-La-Breteche

Score

277

Prize money

Title sponsor

Lancome

Played as the Trophee Lancome. Won by Johnny Miller (USA). [Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, nr Paris, France].

1972
America
281 (-3)
$25,000
Sea Pines

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

281 (-3)

Prize money

$25,000

Title sponsor

Sea Pines

Played as the Sea Pines Heritage Classic (Nov 24-27). Second-placed Tom Weiskopf (USA) finished 1 shot behind Miller (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Harbour Town Links, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, SC. First two rounds also used the resort's Ocean course].

1971
America
Green Island CC
267 (-13)
$20,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Venue

Green Island CC

Score

267 (-13)

Prize money

$20,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Southern Open Invitational (Sept 9-12). Second-placed Deane Beman (USA) finished 5 shots behind 24-year-old Johnny Miller (USA), who recorded the first of his 25 PGA Tour wins. [Green Island CC, Columbus, Georgia].

1964
Amateur
2 & 1
amateur
USGA

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Miller, Johnny

Score

2 & 1

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

USGA

Played as the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. Miller (USA) beat Enrique Sterling Jr (Mex) 2 and 1 in the final. [Eugene CC, Eugene, Oregon].

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