Tony Johnstone
Name:
Anthony Alastair "Tony" JohnstoneCountry:
ZimbabweBorn:
May 2, 1956 in Bulawayo, Matabeleland, Zimbabwe.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golfer; television commentator; "bushman".Turned Pro:
1979Total professional wins (25), including European Tour (6), Sunshine Tour (17) and European Senior Tour (2). Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner (1988/89; 1993/94).
Growing up in what was then Rhodesia, the ever-amiable Johnstone developed a phenomenal short game, that would serve him well on the Sunshine and European Tours. He turned professional in 1979, and subsequently won six times on the European Tour and 17 times on the Sunshine Tour. Only his contemporary Mark McNulty has recorded more wins on the Sunshine Tour as a Zimbabwean.
After battling multiple sclerosis with a revolutionary drug treatment, Johnstone launched into a career on the European Senior Tour when he turned 50 in 2006. He also became a key contributor on Sky Sports golf coverage. He is much respected for his "David Attenborough-like" knowledge of the natural world around him - whether listening to bird calls in Europe or musing on the dung disposal capabilities of beetles in his native southern Africa.
Europe
Travis Perkins
Played as the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters (Sept 4-6). Second-placed Peter Senior (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Tony Johnstone (Zim), who recorded the second of his two European Senior Tour wins. [Duke's course, Woburn GC, nr Milton Keynes, Bucks].
Europe
x
Played as the Jersey Seniors Classic (June 6-8). Second-placed Gordon Brand Jr (Eng), Ross Drummond (Scot) and Ángel Franco (Par) finished 2 shots behind 52-year-old Tony Johnstone (Zim), who recorded the first of his two European Senior Tour wins. [La Moye GC, St Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands].
Europe
x
Played as the Qatar Masters (March 8-11; European Tour event). Second-placed Robert Karlsson (Swe) finished 2 shots behind Tony Johnstone (Zim), who recorded the last of his six European Tour wins. [Doha GC, Qatar].
Africa
Alfred Dunhill
Played as the Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship (Feb 12-15; S African/Eurpn Trs event; S African Tr 1997/98 season). Second-placed Ernie Els (RSA) finished 2 shots behind Johnstone (Zim), who recorded his fifth European Tour win. [Houghton GC, Johannesburg, RSA].
Africa
Philips
Played as the Philips South African Open (Dec 9-12; S African Tr 1993/94 season). Second-placed Ernie Els (RSA) finished 7 shots behind Johnstone (Zim). [Durban CC, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa].
Africa
EVS
Played as the EVS South African Masters (Feb 25-28; S African Tr 1992/93 season-ending event). Second-placed Roger Wessels (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Johnstone (Zim). [Wingate Park CC, Pretoria, RSA].
Awards
FNB
1993/94 South Africa Tour Order of Merit (and associated Sid Brews Trophy). Won for the second time in his career by Johnstone (Zim) with season earnings of R297,358. Bruce Vaughan (USA) was second with R189,452; Ernie Els (RSA) was third with R160,410. Known as the FNB Summer Tour.
Europe
Volvo
Played as the Volvo PGA Championship (May 22-25). Second-placed José María Olazábal (Esp) and Gordon Brand Jr (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Johnstone (Zim), who became the first player from Africa to win the PGA Championship. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Europe
Murphy's
Played as Murphy's Cup (June 6-9; based on a modified stableford scoring format). Defending champion Johnstone (Zim) beat Eamonn Darcy (Ire) with an eagle at the second playoff hole. [Fulford GC, York, North Yorkshire].
Europe
Murphy's
Played as Murphy's Cup (Aug 9-12; based on a modified stableford scoring format). Second-placed Malcolm MacKenzie (Eng) finished 2 pts behind Johnstone (RSA), who recorded his second European Tour win. [Fulford GC, York, North Yorkshire].
Africa
Lexington
Played as the Lexington PGA Championship. Chris Williams (Eng) finished in second place behind Johnstone (Zim). [The Wanderers GC, Ilovo, Johannesburg, RSA].
Awards
S Africa Tr
1988/89 South Africa Tour Order of Merit. Won by Johnstone (Zim) with season earnings of R254,950. John Bland (RSA) was second with R143,448; Jeff Hawkes (RSA) was third with R141,677.
Europe
x
Played as the Portuguese Open (Nov 1-4; European Tr season-ending event). Second-placed Michael King (Eng) finished 3 shots behind 28-year-old Tony Johnstone (Zim), who recorded the first of his six European Tour wins. [South course, Quinta do Lago GC, nr Almancil, Algarve, Portugal].
Africa
x
Played as the South African Open. Fulton Allem (RSA) finished in second place behind Johnstone (Zim). [Houghton GC, Johannesburg, RSA].
Africa
Safmarine
Played as the Safmarine South African Masters. Won by Johnstone (Zim). [Milnerton GC, nr Cape Town, Western Cape, RSA].
124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.
79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).
Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.
Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
