Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Justin Leonard

Discover the career path of Justin Leonard, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Justin Leonard is a professional golfer from America. He has 12 PGA Tour wins, including the 1997 Open Championship. Leonard currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions. He is among a select few who have achieved victories in the U.S. Amateur, the NCAA Individual Championship, and a major golf tournament.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1991: First Southwest Conference Championship

In 1991, Justin Leonard secured his first Southwest Conference Championship with the Longhorns.

1992: U.S. Amateur Win

In 1992, Justin Leonard won the U.S. Amateur.

1994: NCAA Individual Championship

In 1994, Justin Leonard won the individual NCAA championship and the Southwest Conference Championship. He also won the Haskins Award and Jack Nicklaus Award, and became only the fourth player to go directly from college to the PGA Tour.

1997: 1997 PGA Championship Result

At the 1997 PGA Championship, Justin Leonard was tied for the 54-hole lead with Davis Love III. He ultimately finished solo second after Love shot a final round 66.

1997: Ryder Cup Team Qualification

In 1997, Justin Leonard qualified for the United States Ryder Cup team.

1998: Top 10 World Golf Ranking

In 1998, Justin Leonard ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for 24 weeks.

1999: Ryder Cup Comeback and Controversy

At the 1999 Ryder Cup, Justin Leonard made a 45-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole. The celebration was somewhat marred by U.S. players running onto the green before his opponent had the chance to match the putt.

1999: Opportunity to Win Open Championship

In 1999, Justin Leonard had an opportunity to win the Open Championship but fell into a playoff after a bogey on the 72nd hole.

2002: 2002 PGA Championship Result

During the 2002 PGA Championship, Justin Leonard led by three shots at the 54-hole mark. However, a final round 77 led to a tied for fourth finish.

2004: Opportunity to win the PGA Championship

In 2004, Justin Leonard had the opportunity to win the PGA Championship, but he fell into a playoff after a bogey on the 72nd hole.

2008: Ryder Cup Team Qualification

In 2008, Justin Leonard qualified for the United States Ryder Cup team.

2008: Won the 2008 St. Jude Open

In 2023, Justin Leonard finished in a tie for 1st at the PURE Insurance Championship. It was his best finish since winning the 2008 St. Jude Open.

2014: Best finish since 2014

In 2023, Justin Leonard finished tied for 4th at the American Family Insurance Championship. It was his best finish since 2014.

2015: Joined Golf Channel as Analyst

In 2015, Justin Leonard joined Golf Channel as an analyst for Golf Central "Live From" and PGA Tour live tournament coverage.

2015: Move to Aspen and Transition to Announcing

In 2015, Justin Leonard moved to Aspen, Colorado, and began transitioning to a career as a golf announcer.

2016: Played in 2016-17 Season

After using his career money list exemption for the 2015–16 season and failing to make the FedEx Cup, Justin Leonard played the 2016–17 season with past champion status.

2017: Participation in Texas Open

In 2017, Justin Leonard played in only one tournament, the Texas Open, where he finished in 58th place.

2020: Elevated Role on Golf Central "Live From"

In 2020, Justin Leonard assumed an elevated role on Golf Central "Live From" as an analyst on the program's primetime shows.

2022: PGA Tour Champions Debut

In 2022, Justin Leonard made his PGA Tour Champions debut at the Senior Players Championship, finishing in 61st place.

2022: Byron Nelson PGA Event

In 2022, Justin Leonard returned to the PGA for one event, competing in the Byron Nelson where he failed to make the cut. It was his last event before turning 50 and qualifying for the PGA Tour Champions.

2023: American Family Insurance Championship

In 2023, his first full season on the PGA Tour Champions, Justin Leonard carded a course record score of 62 in the first round of the American Family Insurance Championship and finished tied for 4th. Later that season he finished in a tie for 1st at the PURE Insurance Championship, but lost the playoff to Thongchai Jaidee.