Years of anticipation finally culminated in a momentous conversation for Chase Johnson, who grew up emulating Tiger Woods in Ohio. At Riviera Country Club, the 28-year-old mini-tour pro received the prestigious Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption from Woods himself for the Genesis Invitational, a $20 million signature event with significant financial rewards even for last-place finishers.
On Friday, Johnson’s four-foot par putt on the 18th hole secured his spot in the final rounds, potentially leading to the largest paycheck of his career. However, the true highlight came earlier in the week when Woods took a few minutes to chat with him in the serene ambiance of the locker room.
During their conversation, they delved into the intricacies of golf, such as how the dense air at Riviera affects shots. Johnson also had the opportunity to introduce Woods to his father, Mel, who had followed the coaching principles of Earl Woods in nurturing Chase’s talent.
The encounter left both father and son elated, with Mel nearly overwhelmed by the moment. Despite resembling a young Tiger during his attendance at PGA Tour events, Johnson had never been successful in obtaining Woods’ autograph. Unfortunately, even this opportune moment didn’t present the perfect chance, as Johnson lacked a Sharpie for Woods to sign his glove.
Despite Woods’ assurance to fulfill the autograph request by the end of the week, unforeseen circumstances arose when Woods had to withdraw from the tournament due to illness. Thus, Johnson’s quest for the coveted autograph continues alongside his burgeoning career in professional golf.
Having made three cuts in his fifth PGA Tour start, Johnson’s nerve-wracking par putt on the 36th hole at Riviera proved pivotal. With his biggest paycheck to date standing at $54,000 for a runner-up finish on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020, Johnson stands poised to surpass that amount with a strong performance on Sunday, further solidifying his presence on the top tier of golf.