Howie Johnson Explained

Howie Johnson
Fullname:Howard Johnson
Birth Date:8 September 1925
Birth Place:Saint Paul, Minnesota
Death Place:Palm Desert, California
Weight:195lb
College:University of Minnesota
Yearpro:1956
Extour:PGA Tour
Senior PGA Tour
Prowins:3
Pgawins:2
Otherwins:1
Masters:T18: 1970
Usopen:T12: 1970
Open:T20: 1971
Pga:T19: 1969

Howard "Howie" Johnson (September 8, 1925 – September 13, 2015) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.

Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota,[1] Johnson played college golf at the University of Minnesota, where he was team captain.[1] He did not turn professional until age 30, and then only on a dare.[1]

Johnson joined the PGA Tour in 1956 and had two victories.[2] He won his first tour event in 1958 at the Azalea Open, in a playoff with Arnold Palmer.[3] [4] His best finish in a major was T-12 at the U.S. Open in 1970.[5]

Johnson joined the Senior PGA Tour in 1980 and his best finish was a T-2 at the Vintage Chrysler Invitational in 1987. He lived in Rancho Mirage, California, and his son, Howard Johnson, Jr., played on the Nationwide Tour.

Johnson died in September 2015 at the age of 90.[6]

Professional wins (3)

PGA Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner-up
1Mar 30, 1958Azalea Open74-68-72-68=282−6Playoff Arnold Palmer
2Mar 1, 1959Baton Rouge Open Invitational72-71-70-70=283−51 stroke

PGA Tour playoff record (1–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11958Azalea Open Arnold PalmerWon 18-hole playoff;
Johnson: +5 (77),
Palmer: +6 (78)
21970 Miller Barber, Bob CharlesBarber won with birdie on second extra hole

Other wins (1)

Notes and References

  1. Book: Elliott . Len . Barbara . Kelly . Who's Who in Golf . 1976 . Arlington House . New Rochelle, New York . 0-87000-225-2 . 104–5 . registration .
  2. Web site: Sanders, Johnson win Grand Champions by one . July 7, 2003 . January 12, 2008 .
  3. News: Johnson wins Azalea Open . St. Petersburg Times . (Florida) . Associated Press . April 1, 1958 . 1C.
  4. News: Howie Johnson takes Azalea; penalty helps . Chicago Daily Tribune . Associated Press . April 1, 1958 . 3, sec. 3.
  5. Web site: Golf Major Championships . January 12, 2008.
  6. Web site: PGA Tour winner Johnson passes away at age 90 . PGA Tour . September 21, 2015 . Laury . Livsey.