What happened to Justin Leonard?

[iBanesto]

Leonard was one of the most consistent players from the mid 90's to the late 2000's but has fallen off the golfing map of late.

 

A US Amateur champion, major champion, Players champion and a Ryder Cup winner. He reached the $30 million career earnings probably 5 years ago as well.

 

Some people have mentioned that Leonard was too short to compete, but is this really the reason?

 

I feel there has got to be more than that. Short players can still earn a solid living today and Leonard is clearly talented enough to find a way. It could be as simple as his form just disappeared :lol:

 

Just curious...

 

[thug the bunny]

He found that as a commentator he doesn't have to hit the range every day at 6 a.m.

[grm24]

Leonard was one of the most consistent players from the mid 90's to the late 2000's but has fallen off the golfing map of late.

 

A US Amateur champion, major champion, Players champion and a Ryder Cup winner. He reached the $30 million career earnings probably 5 years ago as well.

 

Some people have mentioned that Leonard was too short to compete, but is this really the reason?

 

I feel there has got to be more than that. Short players can still earn a solid living today and Leonard is clearly talented enough to find a way. It could be as simple as his form just disappeared :lol:

 

Just curious...

 

 

 

Interesting article from this past summer on Leonard. He seems happy and in a good place. Good for him.

 

http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/07/12/justin-leonard-ryder-cup-hero-british-open-champ-left-course-find-peak

[BigSky59]

I think the Tiger Woods boom of 1997, and all the players that came along with that wave happened...

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

I feel there has got to be more than that. Short players can still earn a solid living today and Leonard is clearly talented enough to find a way. It could be as simple as his form just disappeared :lol:

 

Just curious...

 

 

iBanesto, I always enjoy you posts, but dude, Justin Leonard is 45 years old. you're posing this question like he's some kid who lost his "form".

 

at his age unless he's out working twice as hard as when he was 25, well than he's gonna be moving backwards on the flat belly Tour. fwiw I could see him enjoying a nice Champions career if he still has the desire to tour.

[iBanesto]

I feel there has got to be more than that. Short players can still earn a solid living today and Leonard is clearly talented enough to find a way. It could be as simple as his form just disappeared :lol:

 

Just curious...

 

 

iBanesto, I always enjoy you posts, but dude, Justin Leonard is 45 years old. you're posing this question like he's some kid who lost his "form".

 

at his age unless he's out working twice as hard as when he was 25, well than he's gonna be moving backwards on the flat belly Tour. fwiw I could see him enjoying a nice Champions career if he still has the desire to tour.

 

I know what you mean but he did lose his form when he was around 38 though.

 

It just a shame that a good player like him can't keep his card.

 

C'est la vie.

[rockinar]

What happen to him????

 

He made $33 million dollars and decided diddling the wife all night and sleeping till noon was more fun than hitting plastic balls all day.

[ray9898]

His own words is the 'game passed him by'. He says he was a short hitter and as the courses lengthened over time it hurt his ability to compete. Couple that with pull of family commitments that most go through and this is what you have. He seems to be in a happy place with his new role as a commentator.

[golfandfishing]

He was on the downside of his career but still popping up with decent finishes on occasion. I remember a really vicious lip out at Disney to win, then he lost the playoff and I think he just said “eff it” after that.

 

The guy is about 3 swings away from being a Hall of Famer.

[naval2006]

GUys like Leonard couldn’t cope with the super long courses made for the younger bombers. He doesn’t have the distance. He was a really hot putter and had a radar-like game, but that won’t take you anywhere in pro golf these days.

[moonshine]

It was a family thing they live in Aspen now and he says they are all happy as ever.

[Nessism]

Lenard is afflicted with A-G-E disease. Add in that he is not a power hitter, and the current tour favors such players, further compounds his problems.

 

I applaud his decision to relax and enjoy life with his family. With four young kids at home it must be great for everyone to have him home and available. Dollars to donuts he makes a comeback at 50 to rake a few bucks from the Champions Tour. He seems to be in great shape so that should be a very real possibility. And after some time away from competition it's a good chance his hunger for the sport will return. We'll see...

[Hawkeye77]

Anyone who has his hat pulled that tightly on his head is going to crack at some point - which doesn't explain the giant knots he puts in his ties that appear to be choking him on the set. ;-)

 

As others have said, his career has been over for some time and not that surprising (and he's fine with it - and rich!).

[stixman]

Wasn't he one of the last players to use a persimmon driver on Tour?

[rockinar]

On top of all that the dude turned pro in 1994. Name someone who was playing in 1994 besides Furyk that's still out there. They are either done or on the Champions.

[golfandfishing]

^^

Mickelson.

[cardoza]

On top of all that the dude turned pro in 1994. Name someone who was playing in 1994 besides Furyk that's still out there. They are either done or on the Champions.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Mickelson

[KennyP]

Tiger-proofing golf courses affected the careers of the shorter hitters like Leonard, Janzen & Pavin.

[Gautama]

Personally, I think as you ascend the list of things things that separates good from great, great from historic etc, there's a point at which the ability to be rewarded with great success and still care enough to keep grinding comes into play. The game got longer sure, but I don't think that explains it all. To me, it's more likely that he reached a comfortable, balanced place in his life and maybe the competitive fire cooled a bit. Lots of guys in a similar situation I think, and as an individual sport golf has more than its share.

 

I see it in business all the time...mid to upper management is filled with people who could be CEOs, but if they're honest they just don't want to work that hard, keep up the 24/7 commitment to the job and sacrifice all the other things that would entail. It's that final intangible, and I'm not convinced they're not better off for it in some cases.

[Hawkeye77]

Tiger-proofing golf courses affected the careers of the shorter hitters like Leonard, Janzen & Pavin.

 

Tiger killed so many careers in so many different ways - you go Kenny!

[farmer]

Personally, I think as you ascend the list of things things that separates good from great, great from historic etc, there's a point at which the ability to be rewarded with great success and still care enough to keep grinding comes into play. The game got longer sure, but I don't think that explains it all. To me, it's more likely that he reached a comfortable, balanced place in his life and maybe the competitive fire cooled a bit. Lots of guys in a similar situation I think, and as an individual sport golf has more than its share.

 

I see it in business all the time...mid to upper management is filled with people who could be CEOs, but if they're honest they just don't want to work that hard, keep up the 24/7 commitment to the job and sacrifice all the other things that would entail. It's that final intangible, and I'm not convinced they're not better off for it in some cases.

What you're saying is he chose life over job. Good for him.

[Loki]

I actually got him to respond to my questions at Erin Hills on the range. I told him that it was great to see him win The Open in 97. When I asked him if we will see him on tour anytime soon he said he was having to much fun in the booth.

[DON SVO]

What happen to him????

 

He made $33 million dollars and decided diddling the wife all night and sleeping till noon was more fun than hitting plastic balls all day.

 

*Gasp* Uhhh... EXCUSE ME!?!? Urethane, my good sir. Urethane.

[mosesgolf]

What happen to him????

 

He made $33 million dollars and decided diddling the wife all night and sleeping till noon was more fun than hitting plastic balls all day.

 

That can get old really fast. :D

[Symeon Star-Eyes]

Good for him for enjoying the semi-retired life. Not particularly engaging or interesting as a commentator, but hey, as long as somebody is willing to keep paying him.

[slimeone]

What happen to him????

 

He made $33 million dollars and decided diddling the wife all night and sleeping till noon was more fun than hitting plastic balls all day.

 

That can get old really fast. :D

Depends on which wife you are diddling I suppose.

[KirkNo-yes]

Justin and I use to get paired together in High School all the time. We both had the exact same game. short, low ball hitters but he had a short game that would carry him to great heights. Justin was and IS one of the hardest working people you will EVER meet. He's also someone who was gifted with great intellect and great golf skills. Justin and I have spoken quite a bit in recent years and like a lot of guys who are our age guys wake up and realize sometimes chasing big shiny trophies isn't that much fun after all. Justin hasn't told me anything about his decision to not try and play that he hasn't told the world but having known him and having seen him "grow up" I'm actually REALLY happy for him. I don't know if he has ever been this happy. I mean truly fulfilled. He controls his own schedule, has a loving supportive wife and between the two of them have created an incredibly strong family core that he doesn't want to be away from. Justin doesn't do anything half Word not alloweded in life so I wouldn't be surprised to find out he is a major champion in being there for his wife and kids. It takes a LOT of maturity for someone to realize and address where they are in their career and face that head on. Most guys will run and hide and keep chasing it because that's "all they know". Justin wasn't afraid to open that door that leads to the world of the unknown and looked at it dead in the eye and said I am will not let you beat me. Keep up the good work JL.

[TM_HOYER]

I would love to see Justin and David Duval replace Miller and Jacobson on the NBC golf coverage. Both have much better insight to today’s players and much better to listen to.

[Cwebb]

Wasn't he one of the last players to use a persimmon driver on Tour?

 

Yeah. He and Davis Love used wood up until 1997, when they both switched to the Titleist 975D that they each won a major with that year

[cardoustie]

I have a signed SI cover of him after the big RC putt, great historical golf moment

 

Admire his grit