Justin Leonard
Residence: Dallas, Texas
DOB: 15/06/1972
Justin grew up playing golf at Royal Oaks CC in Dallas with Harrison Frazar, with who he roomed with during his time at the University of Texas. He was born in Dallas, Texas and attended Lake Highlands High School, graduating in 1990. While at the University of Texas at Austin he was the individual NCAA champion in 1994 which lead him to claim the Haskins Award in 1994 awarded to the most outstanding collegiate golfer.
After turning professional upon graduating from the University of Texas in 1994 he made his name by winning the 1997 British Open. He could have and perhaps should have added to this major tally after losing in playoffs at the 1999 British Open and the 2004 PGA Championship. In both instances he bogeyed the 72nd hole to fall back into the playoff. He currently sits inside the top-10 Career Prize Money List, lying in 8th place with just over $27million to his name. Justin has 12 career wins on the PGA Tour spanning over a decade. Apart from his British Open, his highest profile victory came at the 1998 Players Championship. Leonard made the United States Ryder Cup team in 1997 and 1999.
Even though he is a Major Champion Justin is perhaps most famous for his part in the 1999 Ryder Cup. Leonard made the "Putt Heard 'Round the World", a 45-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole to complete a remarkable comeback by the US team on the final day. This victory was somewhat tarnished by the celebration following Leonard's putt, when other US players, their wives, and a few fans ran onto the green even though Leonard's opponent, José María Olazábal, still had an opportunity to match Leonard on the hole.
Away from the golf course, Justin, along with his wife, is a keen marathon runner and in 2001 completed the White Rock Marathon in Dallas in 3 hours, 55 minutes.
Justin secured his 12th PGA Tour victory in June 2008 after beating Trevor Immelman and Robert Allenby in a play-off. A birdie at the second extra hole secured his only victory of the season. This win and a host of other top-10 finishes this year have helped him to 10th place on the money list, his best finish since 1999. Justin qualified for the 2008 US team and secured 2½ point from his 4 matches to help his team to victory.
Justin Leonard Club History
Below is a selection of clubs used by Justin Leonard throughout his career
Justin Leonard Tournament History
2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic |
17-20 January - Bob Hope Chrysler Classic - Bermuda Dunes, Silver Rock, Nicklaus Private at PGA West, Palmer Private at PGA West and Palm Springs, California. 27-year-old Trahan, who had won just once before, charged from 4 shots back Sunday to overtake Justin Leonard and win the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Trahan shot a sparkling 7-under 65 to beat Leonard by 3 strokes. The younger player said a 4-shot deficit looked imposing heading into the final round of the 5-day tournament but came through to prevail in the end. |
In Justin Leonard's bag...Justin Leonard was overnight leader and had to simply watch as D.J Trahan stormed by to victory while Justin shot a level par 72. Justin Leonard like many of his fellow Nike Tour professionals teed off with the Nike SUMO 5000 driver. He chose to use 2 fairway woods, a Nike SQ Sumo 17˚ and a Callaway Steelhead Plus 19˚, rather than a hybrid. Justin then had a 'easy-hit' 3-iron from the Nike Pro Combo set before using Nike's flagship set of irons, the Forged Blades from 4-P. He continued to use Nike clubs, using the SV wedges in 54˚ and 58˚. Like many of his fellow professional however he had a Scotty Cameron putter, on the occasion Justin is using a prototype so we can not reveal much more information about it.
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