At 19 -- the youngest contestant in the field -- Johnny Miller accepts the trophy for low amateur at the 1966 U.S. Open. Playing on his home course, Olympic Golf Club, Miller shot 70-72-74-74 to finish 12 shots behind Arnold Palmer and Billy Casper (shown, lower left), who beat Palmer 69 to 73 in the Monday playoff. It was Miller's first major event, and his top-10 finish earned him a Masters invitation -- and the attention of millions of golf fans watching on TV.At 19 -- the youngest contestant in the field -- Johnny Miller accepts the trophy for low amateur at the 1966 U.S. Open. Playing on his home course, Olympic Golf Club, Miller shot 70-72-74-74 to finish 12 shots behind Arnold Palmer and Billy Casper (shown, lower left), who beat Palmer 69 to 73 in the Monday playoff. It was Miller's first major event, and his top-10 finish earned him a Masters invitation -- and the attention of millions of golf fans watching on TV.
Miller shakes hands with the ever-gracious Arnold Palmer following the trophy presentation on Monday�and Palmer's playoff loss to Casper. Billed as "The Great Collapse of 1966," Palmer had a seven-shot lead standing on the 10th tee of the final round, only to fall into a tie with Casper after the 17th hole. He was two up on Casper after nine holes on Monday before fading badly again, losing the playoff by four shots.Miller shakes hands with the ever-gracious Arnold Palmer following the trophy presentation on Monday�and Palmer's playoff loss to Casper. Billed as "The Great Collapse of 1966," Palmer had a seven-shot lead standing on the 10th tee of the final round, only to fall into a tie with Casper after the 17th hole. He was two up on Casper after nine holes on Monday before fading badly again, losing the playoff by four shots.
In this 1967 photo, taken during his junior year at Brigham Young University, Miller's lost the Brylcreem, but not the style�or the chops. His amateur golf resume to this point: 1963 San Francisco city junior, 1964 Junior Amateur; '64 Northern California stroke-play championship. In 1966 he was an Honorable Mention All-American; in '67 he was a First Team All-American.In this 1967 photo, taken during his junior year at Brigham Young University, Miller's lost the Brylcreem, but not the style�or the chops. His amateur golf resume to this point: 1963 San Francisco city junior, 1964 Junior Amateur; '64 Northern California stroke-play championship. In 1966 he was an Honorable Mention All-American; in '67 he was a First Team All-American.
Turning pro in 1969, Miller recorded his first of 25 PGA Tour victories at the Southern Open Invitational in 1971. In 1972, Miller won the Sea Pines Heritage Classic (left). "To play good golf, you have to be prepared and preprogram yourself ... I map out the type of shot I want to play on each hole before I ever start my round ... The only think I hardly ever do is break my game plan," he wrote in his 1976 instruction book, Pure Golf.Turning pro in 1969, Miller recorded his first of 25 PGA Tour victories at the Southern Open Invitational in 1971. In 1972, Miller won the Sea Pines Heritage Classic (left). "To play good golf, you have to be prepared and preprogram yourself ... I map out the type of shot I want to play on each hole before I ever start my round ... The only think I hardly ever do is break my game plan," he wrote in his 1976 instruction book, Pure Golf.
Posing with the U.S. Open trophy, and his wife, Linda, Miller still seems in shock after shooting a 63 in the final round of the 1973 Open at Oakmont Country Club. His 279 total was one stroke better than the unheralded John Schlee's 280. His 8-under 63 remains the lowest fourth-round score in U.S. Open history, a stroke better than Peter Jacobsen's 7-under 64 shot at Brookline in 1988.Posing with the U.S. Open trophy, and his wife, Linda, Miller still seems in shock after shooting a 63 in the final round of the 1973 Open at Oakmont Country Club. His 279 total was one stroke better than the unheralded John Schlee's 280. His 8-under 63 remains the lowest fourth-round score in U.S. Open history, a stroke better than Peter Jacobsen's 7-under 64 shot at Brookline in 1988.
Miller lashes a drive during his defense of his Open crown in 1974 at Winged Foot. "I want you to be quite certain on this point," he wrote in his 1976 instruction book, Pure Golf, "It's the knees that start the downswing, not the hips. ... The left knee pulls to the left and the right knee drives right behind it with a push off the right foot." Miller made the cut, but was yet another victim of the wicked course setup, finishing 15 strokes back of winning survivor Hale Irwin.Miller lashes a drive during his defense of his Open crown in 1974 at Winged Foot. "I want you to be quite certain on this point," he wrote in his 1976 instruction book, Pure Golf, "It's the knees that start the downswing, not the hips. ... The left knee pulls to the left and the right knee drives right behind it with a push off the right foot." Miller made the cut, but was yet another victim of the wicked course setup, finishing 15 strokes back of winning survivor Hale Irwin.
By 1974, Miller had emerged as a world-class player and worthy rival to Jack Nicklaus, with Miller winning eight tournaments and becoming the tour's leading money winner. Nicklaus and Miller first met at the 1966 U.S. Open, where the Open rookie played a practice round with the pre-tournament favorite. To this day, Miller calls Nicklaus, who is seven years his senior, "my greatest golf hero."By 1974, Miller had emerged as a world-class player and worthy rival to Jack Nicklaus, with Miller winning eight tournaments and becoming the tour's leading money winner. Nicklaus and Miller first met at the 1966 U.S. Open, where the Open rookie played a practice round with the pre-tournament favorite. To this day, Miller calls Nicklaus, who is seven years his senior, "my greatest golf hero."
Miller continued to knock down flagsticks and rack up tournament victories in 1975, winning four PGA Tour events, including the Bob Hope Desert Classic. Here he takes hold of the traditional oversized winner's check, with Linda and son John Jr. in hand.Miller continued to knock down flagsticks and rack up tournament victories in 1975, winning four PGA Tour events, including the Bob Hope Desert Classic. Here he takes hold of the traditional oversized winner's check, with Linda and son John Jr. in hand.
Miller played on three World Cup teams (1973, '75, shown, and '80); two Ryder Cup teams (1975 and '80) and won five times overseas, including the 1974 World Open Golf Championship in Japan, the 1976 British Open and the 1981 Million Dollar Challenge in South Africa.Miller played on three World Cup teams (1973, '75, shown, and '80); two Ryder Cup teams (1975 and '80) and won five times overseas, including the 1974 World Open Golf Championship in Japan, the 1976 British Open and the 1981 Million Dollar Challenge in South Africa.
The occasional Asian female caddie notwithstanding, Andrew Martinez was Miller's longtime looper. After caddying for Miller during the '70s, Martinez worked for other big-name players, including Tom Lehman in the late '90s. "When you talk about the Jack Nicklaus of caddies," says Joe LaCava, Fred Couples' veteran caddie, "I think you have one right here in Andy. He's been around a long time, and he's done well with every player he's worked for."The occasional Asian female caddie notwithstanding, Andrew Martinez was Miller's longtime looper. After caddying for Miller during the '70s, Martinez worked for other big-name players, including Tom Lehman in the late '90s. "When you talk about the Jack Nicklaus of caddies," says Joe LaCava, Fred Couples' veteran caddie, "I think you have one right here in Andy. He's been around a long time, and he's done well with every player he's worked for."
Through the late 1970s, Miller's problems on the putting surface grew steadily worse. He won the 1976 British Open by fixating on a red dot of fingernail polish on his putter handle; he won the 1981 Million Dollar Challenge by putting with his eyes closed. Here, Miller misses a putt at the '81 Masters; he finished second by two shots to Tom Watson, closing with a Sunday 68. It was Miller's third runner-up finish at Augusta.Through the late 1970s, Miller's problems on the putting surface grew steadily worse. He won the 1976 British Open by fixating on a red dot of fingernail polish on his putter handle; he won the 1981 Million Dollar Challenge by putting with his eyes closed. Here, Miller misses a putt at the '81 Masters; he finished second by two shots to Tom Watson, closing with a Sunday 68. It was Miller's third runner-up finish at Augusta.
Miller fires at the flag in early 1982. Says his World Golf Hall of Fame entry: "In golf's modern era, it's commonly understood that no player has ever achieved the brief but memorable brilliance of Johnny Miller ... At his best, Miller's game was marked by incredibly aggressive and equally accurate iron play." Miller won 18 PGA Tour events in the '70s; six in the '80s, the last at the 1987 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.Miller fires at the flag in early 1982. Says his World Golf Hall of Fame entry: "In golf's modern era, it's commonly understood that no player has ever achieved the brief but memorable brilliance of Johnny Miller ... At his best, Miller's game was marked by incredibly aggressive and equally accurate iron play." Miller won 18 PGA Tour events in the '70s; six in the '80s, the last at the 1987 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
This 1991 portrait, taken near his Northern California home, captures Miller, then 43, in a reflective mood. With his on-course play diminished by a series of injuries and struggles with the putter, Miller had already begun his second career as a golf course designer. Notable among his early efforts was Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, Calif., which debuted in 1987; subsequent designs in Utah and Nevada have also won critical acclaim. In 1990, he began his third act, as a TV analyst for NBC.This 1991 portrait, taken near his Northern California home, captures Miller, then 43, in a reflective mood. With his on-course play diminished by a series of injuries and struggles with the putter, Miller had already begun his second career as a golf course designer. Notable among his early efforts was Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, Calif., which debuted in 1987; subsequent designs in Utah and Nevada have also won critical acclaim. In 1990, he began his third act, as a TV analyst for NBC.
In one of golf's greatest comebacks, Miller wins the 1994 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Outdueling Tom Watson for a one-stroke victory, Miller joined Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus as the only modern players to win the same tournament in three decades. Here, CBS' Gary McCord puts the mike to his fellow broadcaster. CBS' Bryant Gumbel also had a week to remember: He was Miller's amateur partner.In one of golf's greatest comebacks, Miller wins the 1994 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Outdueling Tom Watson for a one-stroke victory, Miller joined Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus as the only modern players to win the same tournament in three decades. Here, CBS' Gary McCord puts the mike to his fellow broadcaster. CBS' Bryant Gumbel also had a week to remember: He was Miller's amateur partner.
By 1997, Miller's status as one of the pre-eminent golf TV commentators was secure. Here, he enjoys golf from outside the ropes, watching his son, Andy, play in the Western Amateur, where he finished in second place. Andy followed his father to BYU, earning All-American honors for four years, from 1997 to 2000. In 2002, Andy played on the Nationwide Tour, winning the State Farm Open in a playoff, and earned a his 2003 PGA Tour card with a T26 finish at Q School. Later in 2003, he traveled to Mexico to serve on traditional two-year Mormon mission.By 1997, Miller's status as one of the pre-eminent golf TV commentators was secure. Here, he enjoys golf from outside the ropes, watching his son, Andy, play in the Western Amateur, where he finished in second place. Andy followed his father to BYU, earning All-American honors for four years, from 1997 to 2000. In 2002, Andy played on the Nationwide Tour, winning the State Farm Open in a playoff, and earned a his 2003 PGA Tour card with a T26 finish at Q School. Later in 2003, he traveled to Mexico to serve on traditional two-year Mormon mission.
