What Is Johnny Miller’s Net Worth?
Johnny Miller, born John Laurence Miller on April 29, 1947, is an American former professional golfer with a net worth of $20 million. He achieved prominence in the 1970s and has since had a successful career in golf course design and broadcasting.
Early Career and PGA Tour Success
Miller’s journey in golf began in his junior years. He gained membership to the Olympic Club in San Francisco in 1963 at the age of 16. In 1964, he won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. In 1966, he qualified for the U.S. Open, finishing in a tie for eighth place while still an amateur. He attended Brigham Young University, graduating in 1969 with a degree in physical education.
Turning professional in 1969, Miller quickly made his mark on the PGA Tour. His first PGA Tour victory came in 1971 at the Southern Open Invitational. That same year, he tied for second place at the Masters Tournament. His most notable year was 1973, highlighted by his U.S. Open victory where he shot a final round 63, earning him $35,000 for the victory. In 1974, he was the leading money winner on the PGA Tour, with eight victories. In 1976, he won The Open Championship. Miller amassed a total of 25 PGA Tour wins during his playing career and had 105 top-ten finishes.
According to PGA Tour records, Johnny Miller’s official career earnings totaled $2,747,484. This figure reflects tournament winnings and does not include income from endorsements, broadcasting, or other business ventures.
Broadcasting Career and Other Ventures
After semi-retiring from the PGA in 1990, Miller transitioned to a career in broadcasting, becoming the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports from 1990 to 2019. In 1975, it was reported that Miller commanded up to $10,000 for personal appearances and exhibitions. Sears, Roebuck introduced a line of clothing called “the Johnny Miller Collection,” and he appeared in television commercials for Beautyrest mattresses, boosting his 1974 earnings to an estimated $700,000.
Beyond broadcasting, Miller has been involved in golf course architecture, designing over 30 courses, including the Thanksgiving Point Golf Course in Lehi, Utah. He is also a partner in a limited partnership that acquired the Silverado Country Club in Napa, California, on July 1, 2010. Isao Okawa, former chairman of Sega Corp., had paid $110 million for the resort in 1989, with Johnny Miller and his partners purchasing the property for “far upwards” of $20 million. The 300-acre property includes two championship courses. Silverado Resort Investment Group LLC, which included Johnny Miller, Rug Doctor Corporation founder Roger Kent, and CEO Tim Wall, hired Dolce Hotels and Resorts Company to manage the resort. Miller redesigned the North Course, adding over 300 yards, widening fairways, and repositioning bunkers. The resort was later sold to KSL Capital Partners, LLC, and Arcade Capital LLC in 2022.
Endorsements and Business Activities
In addition to course design and resort ownership, Miller has engaged in various endorsement deals throughout his career. In 2015, he became a business partner and endorsee for Zero Friction, a golf accessories company. In 2016, Johnny Miller endorsed Zero Friction golf balls, including the ZF Distance and ZF Tour Spin models.
Real Estate and Personal Life
In 1975, Miller owned a condominium in Hilton Head, S.C., and a new $300,000 house bordering the tenth green at the Silverado Country Club in Napa, Calif.
Miller resides on the Monterey Peninsula in California with his wife, Linda, and they have six children. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.