Johnny Miller is remembered by most golf fans for his brilliance at the 1973 U.S. Open when he carded a masterful final-round 63 – dubbed “The Miracle at Oakmont” – to capture his first major championship. His score has been matched by only one other player in major championship history.
Miller was named lead analyst on NBC Sports’ golf coverage team in 1990 and quickly made his mark as the sport’s most candid commentator. In May 1998, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida.
His candor and insight have helped him earn both critical kudos and viewer appreciation. According to Golf World magazine, “Miller claims the top spot (in a rundown of golf’s top commentators) by virtue of his impact on a telecast. Controversial, profound, slightly witty, ultra-candid. He probably had the best playing career of the announcers and now he’s the best at this profession.”
In a fan survey in Sports Illustrated, Miller was named Favorite Golf Analyst. In a 2002 survey, the readers of Golf Digest named Miller Best Analyst on Television for the third time. Miller was honored as top analyst in the May 2002 and May 2003 issues of Travel & Leisure Golf.
Miller explains his on-air philosophy: “My goal in announcing is to speak just like I’m in the living room with you and we’re having pizza and I’m just letting go. Whatever I think comes out. I’m going to do the best job with the most honesty inside me to say, ‘here’s what I think just happened.’ The announcing is a little bit like teaching. I address a player’s mistakes and sort of give a lesson on TV. When I played, I didn’t play down the middle and I don’t announce down the middle. That would be boring.”
“Knowing when it’s your time!”
Travels From: California
City: Napa
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