Chase Johnson: A Rising Star at the US Open

Oakmont, Pa. — If you’re on the lookout for an under-the-radar player at this week’s US Open, Chase Johnson might be a solid choice.

Competing on the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour, which is dedicated to providing opportunities for minority golfers, Johnson managed to enter the tournament as one of the last qualifiers.

He secured his spot by finishing as the first alternate in a playoff in Columbus, Ohio, outperforming notable PGA Tour champions like Eric Cole, Max Homa, and Ricky Fowler.

By June 9, he stepped into the competition after Bud Corey earned an exemption from the official World Golf Rankings, due to being in the Top 60.

Corey was among the six qualifiers from Columbus.

Growing up, Johnson admired Tiger Woods and is now proud to be the only Black player in the tournament this week.

“This is one of the missions of the APGA Tour, and it’s fantastic to see,” Johnson shared. “Players are making significant strides, like Willie Mac, who I played with at last year’s Open and also qualified.”

“It’s just a matter of time. Like the PGA Tour, players from various backgrounds are really becoming prominent. We’ll keep working on this, and I hope to expand my platform to help others grow in the game too.”

Johnson’s experiences reflect a humbling journey, as he remembers feeling like an underdog in the playoffs but never really doubting himself. “I definitely felt like an underdog, but I was confident,” he mentioned, recalling how he had joined the Cobra Puma team and formed a connection with Ricky Fowler over the years, including involvement in a Junior Invitational event last fall.

Now, he’s gearing up to compete against the world number one, Scotty Scheffler.

“Scotty and I are the same age; we’ve been playing against each other since we were kids,” Johnson noted. “But I’m focused on reaching where I want to go.”