History of Johnny Miller in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 13, 2025

Johnny Miller is a former professional golfer renowned for his dominance in the mid-1970s. He won the 1973 U.S. Open, notably being the first to card a 63 in a major, and peaked as the world's second-ranked golfer in 1974 and 1975. Accumulating 25 PGA Tour victories, including two majors, Miller was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1998. He transitioned to broadcasting, serving as NBC Sports' lead golf analyst from 1990 to 2019. Miller is also involved in golf course architecture.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 29, 1947: John Laurence Miller Born

On April 29, 1947, John Laurence Miller was born. He later became a professional golfer, known as one of the best in the mid-1970s.

1963: Joined the Olympic Club and Won San Francisco city junior title

In 1963, Miller joined the Olympic Club as a Junior Golf Section member, and also won the San Francisco city junior title at age 16.

1964: Won U.S. Junior Amateur

In 1964, Miller won the U.S. Junior Amateur tournament.

1965: Graduated and Enrolled at BYU

In 1965, Miller graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

1966: Qualified for U.S. Open

In 1966, during his freshman year of college, Miller qualified for the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club.

1967: Invitation to Masters

In 1967, Miller received an invitation to the Masters tournament.

1968: Won California State Amateur Championship

In 1968, Miller won the California State Amateur Championship.

1969: Graduated from BYU

In 1969, Miller graduated from BYU with a degree in physical education.

1969: Joined PGA Tour

In 1969, at the age of 22, Miller joined the PGA Tour.

1971: Runner-up at The Masters

In 1971, Miller finished runner-up at The Masters.

1971: Tied for Second at Masters and Top-10 Finish at U.S. Open

In 1971, Miller tied for second place at the Masters Tournament and also achieved a top-10 finish at the U.S. Open.

1971: First Tour Event Win

In 1971, Miller won his first PGA tour event.

1972: Top-10 Finish at the U.S. Open

In 1972, Miller achieved a top-10 finish at the U.S. Open.

1973: U.S. Open Win

In 1973, Miller won the U.S. Open and became the first to shoot 63 in a major championship.

1973: Played in 1973 U.S. Open and Recorded Several Top-10 Finishes

In 1973, before the U.S. Open at Oakmont, Miller had several top-10 finishes, including a tie for 6th at the Masters.

1974: Ranked Second in World Golf

In 1974, Miller was ranked second in the world in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings, behind Jack Nicklaus.

1974: Leading Money Winner on PGA Tour

In 1974, Miller was the leading money winner on the PGA Tour with eight victories, amassing a then-record $353,201.

1974: Bing Crosby National Pro-Am Shortened

In 1974, the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am was shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

1975: Runner-up at The Masters

In 1975, Miller finished runner-up at The Masters.

1975: Second at Masters and Third at Open Championship

In 1975, Miller finished second to Jack Nicklaus at the Masters and third at the Open Championship at Carnoustie.

1975: Ranked Second in World Golf

In 1975, Miller was ranked second in the world in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings, behind Jack Nicklaus.

1975: Won Phoenix Open and Tucson Open

In 1975, Miller won the Phoenix Open by 14 strokes, including a second-round 61, and the Tucson Open by nine strokes, with a final round 61.

1976: Putting Affliction

Following his 1976 Open Championship win, Miller lost the form that made him a frequent winner in his early career due to a putting affliction.

1976: Won the Open Championship

In 1976, Miller won his second major at the Open Championship, a six-stroke victory over Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros at Royal Birkdale. His final round of 66 tied the course record.

1977: Considered Quitting Professional Golf

Miller considered quitting professional golf during his slump in form between 1977 and 1979.

1978: Record Surpassed

In 1978, Miller's record for most money earned on the PGA Tour in a season was exceeded.

1979: Considered Quitting Professional Golf

Miller considered quitting professional golf during his slump in form between 1977 and 1979.

1980: First Win in Almost Four Years

In 1980, Miller won the Jackie Gleason-Inverrary Classic, his first win in almost four years.

1980: Third Round Cut in Open Championship

In 1980, there was a 3rd round cut in the Open Championship

1981: Runner-up at The Masters

In 1981, Miller finished runner-up at The Masters.

1981: Spectacular Season and Ryder Cup

In 1981, Miller had a spectacular season, including a victory at the Million Dollar Challenge in Sun City, South Africa, and competed in his second Ryder Cup.

1983: Chrysler Team Championship Shortened

In 1983, the Chrysler Team Championship was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

January 1990: Lead Golf Analyst for NBC Sports

In January 1990, Miller became the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports.

1990: Began Broadcasting Career

In 1990, Miller began working as a broadcaster for NBC Sports.

1994: Final PGA Tour Victory

In 1994, at the age of 46, Miller achieved his final PGA Tour victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

1997: Eligible for Senior PGA Tour

In 1997, Miller became eligible for the Senior PGA Tour but decided not to play regularly.

1998: Inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

In 1998, Miller was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

2007: Commentary on 1973 U.S. Open Round

In 2007, Miller reflected on his historic 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open, calling it "the greatest ball-striking round I've ever seen".

June 16, 2008: Controversial Comment During U.S. Open Broadcast

On June 16, 2008, during the broadcast of the U.S. Open's 18-hole playoff, Miller made a controversial comment about Rocco Mediate, leading to an apology.

July 1, 2010: Purchased Silverado Country Club

On July 1, 2010, Miller became a partner in a limited partnership that purchased Silverado Country Club in Napa, California.

2012: Tiger Woods Coaching Offer

In 2012, Miller revealed that Tiger Woods once asked him to be his coach, but Miller declined due to his commitment to NBC Sports and family.

July 2013: Silverado to Host PGA Tournament

In July 2013, it was announced that Silverado would host a PGA tournament starting in October 2014.

October 2014: Silverado Hosted Frys.com Open

In October 2014, Silverado hosted the Frys.com Open, a PGA tournament, after renovations overseen by Miller.

2017: Branden Grace Broke Record

In 2017, Branden Grace shot a 62 at the Open Championship, breaking the record for the lowest round in the history of a major championship, previously held by Miller.

2018: Announcement of 25th Grandchild

During the 2018 Ryder Cup broadcast, Miller announced the birth of his 25th grandchild.

February 2019: End of NBC Sports Analyst Role

In February 2019, Miller ended his role as the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports.

2019: Retired from Broadcasting

In 2019, Miller retired from broadcasting following the third round of the Phoenix Open.

2021: Historical Ryder Cup Defeat

Until 2021, the 1981 Ryder Cup at Walton Heath Golf Club in England was the heaviest defeat suffered by a European team at the hands of the United States.