Justin Leonard

    Justin Leonard

    Height: 5 ft. 9 in 

    Weight: 170 lbs 

    Birthday: 06/15/1972

    College: University of Texas

    Turned Pro: 1994

    Birthplace: Dallas, Texas

    Country:  United States

    Sponsor: Nike

      

    Leonard was a very successful amateur player. In 1992 he captured the US Amateur Championship. While attending the University of Texas, Leonard was a two time All American. In 1994 he was named as the College Player of the Year. He managed to avoid Q School by gaining his PGA Tour after playing on invites, becoming only the fourth to do this after Gary Hallberg, Scott Verplank and Phil Mickelson.

    In his first full season on the PGA Tour, Leonard had two runner-up finishes as well as five further top 10s on his way to ending the year 22nd on the money list. Leonard captured his first Tour win the following season at the Buick Open when he won by five shots. Leonard had a career season in 1997 when he won twice. The first win came at the Kemper Open and the second victory was at the British Open Championship which was played at Royal Troon where he overcame Jesper Parnevik and Darren Clarke by three shots after shooting a final round 65. He finished the year 5th on the money list.

    Leonard captured the Players Championship the following year. He would play consistent golf over the next number of years, winning nearly every season. He won twice in 2006, at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the FedEx St. Jude Classic. His 13th and most recent PGA Tour win came in 2008 at the Stanford St. Jude Championship after a play-off with Robert Allenby and Trevor Immelmann. He would have eight top 10s that season on his way to finishing the season 10th in the standings. He is still playing steady golf. Leonard competed in the Ryder Cup on three occasions, 1997, 1999 and 2008. He was on the winning side on two occasions (1999 and 2008). He has also played in the Presidents Cup on five occasions.