Say what you like about Johnny Miller, and plenty do, but you can’t say that he doesn’t tell it like it is. He might not always have been the most popular with the players but you won’t die wondering what he means.
After 50 years on the road, including two major wins and the last 29 in the booth for NBC and the Golf Channel, he has decided to hang up his microphone and spend a bit more time with his 24 grandchildren.
“All my friends were retiring, and it got to the point where I was like, ‘Hey, how come I’m not retiring?’ It’s been a great run. I’ve done everything I can do announcing wise.”
Quick 9 takes a look at some of his best/worst/most memorable bits…
1. Lefty’s other career
Miller on Phil Mickelson’s scrambling skills at the 2010 Ryder Cup:
If he couldn’t chip, he’d be selling cars in San Diego.
2. Parryed away
Miller on on Craig Parry’s mechanics at the 2004 Ford Championship:
The last time you see that swing is in a pro-am with a guy who’s about a 15-handicap. It’s just over the top, cups it at the bottom and hits it unbelievably good. It doesn’t look … if Ben Hogan saw that, he’d puke.
The Aussie had the last laugh, holing a 6-iron from 176 yards in a play-off.
3. Brookline bawler
Miller on Justin Leonard’s efforts in a Ryder Cup fourball with Hal Sutton at Brookline:
My hunch is that Justin needs to go home and watch it on television.
They actually halved their match and the following day Leonard holed THAT putt against Jose Maria Olazabal. Miller quickly apologised.
Quick 9 continues on the next page where we are introduced to Miller’s favourite word of all time…
4. Choke on this
Miller on Peter Jacobsen’s shot to the last at the 1990 Bob Hope Classic, Miller’s first tournament in the booth:
‘The easiest shot to choke on.
Miller became known for his love of the C-word. Jacobsen won.
5. Miller time
Miller on his, err, own research skills:
I don’t want to brag but I do more homework on the course than any other announcer. I chart the greens to get all the breaks. I walk down into the greenside bunkers. I walk into the fairway bunkers to see whether a player can reach the green from them.
6. Tanking Tiger
Miller on Woods’ T40 at Augusta National in 2012.
He goes to The Masters and really fell apart from pressure. The first time in his whole career I can say that Tiger actually gagged just a little bit because he wanted it so bad. He’s going after Nicklaus’s record, 18 majors.
Quick 9 continues on the next page, where Miller has a rather interesting way of describing a fellow pro…
7. Rocco’s other life
Miller on Rocco Mediate during his titanic tussle with Tiger at the 2008 US Open:
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Guys with the name of Rocco don’t get the trophy, do they? He looks more like the guy who cleans Tiger’s swimming pool.
He later apologised explaining that he meant it as a compliment.
8. Ryder Cupset
Miller on the unique challenge of playing in the Ryder Cup:
If you’re a bad putter, you will not make a putt. If you have a tendency to chilli-dip wedges, you’ll be chilli-dipping them all over the place for sure. Whatever your weakness, it will come up in spades during the Ryder Cup.
9. Drop a bomb
Miller on Tiger’s ability to take a correct drop at The Players in 2013:
That Tiger drop was really, really borderline. I can’t live with myself without saying that.
This was just a month after what went on at Augusta when Woods was nearly disqualified and handed a two-shot penalty.
Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below, or join in the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.
Enjoy retirement, Johnny! You’ll be missed…
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