From his TV commentaries on America’s NBC, we know that Johnny Miller talks the talk, but in the middle of the 1970s, he also walked and walked the walk – better than anybody who had ever stepped foot on a course.
Every competitor he played against (Nicklaus, Watson and Weiskopf) knew Miller was hot and unbeatable. He was also very good even when he wasn’t. Nicklaus described Miller as a player who hit his short irons farther than any other person I have ever seen. Some parts of his game were more impressive than mine, particularly the short irons.
Watson, on the other hand, was playing with Miller in Tucson Open’s final round in 1974. He shot 61 and won the tournament. Miller replied, “For 12 months, I’ve been playing better than any other player in the world.”
He did, and he was successful, though it was an unexpected rise to fame, which was followed by a rapid fall to, if anything, mediocrity or at the very least, human standards.
He lost his brother when he was just 10 years old. His body wasn’t found for many weeks. Johnny’s father created a basement mat for him to use, where he could practice his golf skills all day. Johnny was 20 years old when he went to San Francisco for the US Open in 1966 with the intent of becoming a caddy. In final qualifying, Johnny entered and finished eighth.
The US Tour gave him 24 titles. Eight of them were in 1974. One of these wins was the Tucson Open. He won it by 14 strokes against the best field of the year. Two Majors were also won by him: the 1973 US Open in Oakmont (regarded as the most difficult of American venues) and 1976 Open at Royal Birkdale where he defeated a 19 year-old rookie named Seve Balesteros. He was able to make his mark with the US Open, where he won it with an impressive final round of 63. This is still the highest ever Final Round for a Major and could have been better.
Later, he said that he birdied the four first ones and then started gagging. Also, I understand exactly what is going on. On five, I hit it eight feet and left it in the middle. A great 4-wood was in my hand, just 30 feet away from the hole on eight. My birdie shot is three feet too short, and I then miss it.
“I kept hitting it stiff, three feet, four foot, nine feet. Watson could have put for me. It might have been a 56.
Miller’s weekend rounds or charges at the last round were his specialty. He was not only able to win the 1976 Oakmont Open, but also a memorable fourth round in 66. In addition, the year prior, in one of most prestigious Masters, he won the Open in 1976.
Miller stated that serenity is found in knowing your best shot will be good. For a time, he was mad if an iron shot was more than three feet from the line. He could swing an 8-iron with ease, hitting it from a 7 or 8 iron distance. There were a few minor adjustments that made the difference, but they weren’t noticeable to anyone else. He kept this trick for players trying to figure out the club he was using on par three holes. The idea was to deliberately put an 8-iron at a 9 iron distance and watch as the other player airmails green.
Miller was a star during the glory years 1973-6. He had everything: blond looks, talent, and an insatiable curiosity about people and golf. This he continued to display through his television work. His was not the greatest, but it vanished as soon as it arrived.
Three main reasons are involved. The first is that he suffered from the yips for most of his life. He also had a tendency to hit his approach shots closer to the flag to make up the difference. The reason that he only has played two times on the US Champions Seniors Tour is because he continues to battle the yips. They are so bad that he used to paint a dot on his putter grip and stare at it throughout each stroke.
His worst match was against Jack Nicklaus in 1977 for Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. He shot for shot with Nicklaus, except that he was embarrassingly terrible on the greens where he made seven errors. He stated, “It felt like I had a snake in one of my hands.” Three-footers were impossible for me. The worst feeling is standing in front of a three-footer and realizing you don’t have any chance.
He also claims that he worked at his Utah ranch for a winter, cutting down trees, and his swing became distorted due to the muscle buildup and decreased flexibility. Also, he feels that switching clubs between MacGregor and Wilson in ’75 instantly slipped him two notches. That is the reason for his wisest piece of advice. It is “Once your find a pair of clubs you like,” which he still holds dear today.
He is also a dedicated family man. He had a lot more interests than the 72-hole Tour golf tournaments and became dissatisfied with his travel lifestyle. He is an active member of The Church of Latter Day Saints, a Mormon and has six children.
He became a television analyst and quickly gained notoriety for using his favorite word, ‘choke’. Miller admits that he is a true authority on the subject, since it is a phenomena he has been studying with great attention all his life. He believes he was a world-class choker.
“I have choked so many times over the years, it’s funny,” he said. For me it wasn’t because of any character flaws or lack of courage. Choking is not like that. It’s simply stress manifesting mentally and physically.
He made his first appearance as a Bob Hope Chrysler Classic commentator in 1990. Peter Jacobsen, his good friend and fellow commentator at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic was given a shot of 225 yards over water after he landed on a Pebble Beach downhill lay. Miller carefully studied Jacobsen’s body language before declaring: ‘This is absolutely my easiest choke shot.
Jacobsen’s comment caused a furore immediately. Jacobsen wouldn’t talk to Miller for 5 months and then he only gave up after watching a tape. Miller began to hear loud calls for Miller to be fired. Now it is hard to believe the fuss. He didn’t say Jacobsen was a choker or would give in to pressure. It just seemed that all the right ingredients existed for this to occur. The unbowed Miller kept calling it what he saw, and American television watchers realized that it was refreshing to hear an honest opinion as opposed to the inoffensive and bland pap they were used.
He is not afraid of making mistakes and his outspokenness has brought him many friends as well as enemies. In fairness, his comments are not harsh or vindictive. He is just as bluntly honest today as he was in the past. American society especially, television has made no-bullshit straight talk the norm.
John McEnroe is his closest sports commentator, but Miller holds the edge because his playing and his behavior throughout his entire career was exceptional. When he slams Tiger Woods (for swearing repeatedly and audibly) on the 18th green at Pebble Beach, the US Open, Miller cannot be accused hypocrisy. He was not the first golfer to use a lot of epithets.
Miller continues to be as bluntly outspoken and forthright as ever. Craig Parry defeated Scott Verplank by hitting a 6-iron at 176 yards on the second extra hole in March 2004. Miller claimed that Parry’s swing was similar to that of an Australian 15-handicapper, and that it would have been enough for Ben Hogan to vomit. Parry got so mad that he filed a complaint with the US Tour. Miller was unrepentant. His ability to make these remarks and refuse to back down when they create a fuss is likely the reason Miller has not been offered the Ryder Cup Captaincy.
The Ryder Cup was what got him in more trouble. Brookline, 1999: Captain Ben Crenshaw, acting on a gut feeling, picked Justin Leonard as his partner in fourballs. They subsequently lost their match to Olazabal Jimenez and Jimenez by half. Miller said, “My hunch” is that Justin must go home to see it. Leonard, Davis Love, and Jim Furyk were furious. All three said that Miller did not believe in them, and wasn’t as supportive of the home team.
Miller encouraged them to hike, and reminded them that Miller’s job wasn’t to be a cheerleader. He was only there to give an honest opinion. In condemning American fans’ behavior, Miller also spoke out. They abused Colin Montgomerie, their father, and behaved like rabble. Then, Miller severely criticised US team leader Tom Lehman for his infamous charge to the 17th green, where Justin Leonard made an outrageous putt during his match against Jose Maria Olazabal.
Golf Digest reported that if Tom Lehman did the same thing at the Ryder Cup ten years ago, he’d have been expelled from the Ryder Cup permanently or for at most one Cup. He was way out of control. He was completely out of control.
Miller was always in control. In his pomp, he was just as skilled as anybody who had ever played golf.
Johnny Miller on:
His game: “I played a lot of golf in that area for several years. It was bordering on the twilight zones.” It was a time when I felt so upset about having to putt.
Colin Montgomerie – ‘Sometimes the man has no filter between the heart, brain and mouth, but his opinions can’t be detrimental to the game.
Retief Goosen: It is the worst three-putt of all time in the history golf. He had previously failed to reach 12 feet from the 72nd green of the 2001 US Open. He won the playoff.
Peter Oosterhuis after the 1973 Masters, 54 holes: “He will probably have a great night of sleep — all two-and-a half hours of it.”
The Greatest: Jack Nickalus is the winner when he plays well, and second when he plays poorly. He’s third if he plays badly.