Andrew Johnston was one of the most popular golfers on the DP World Tour, even when he missed long stretches due to injury. Learn more about the man nicknamed “Beef” with these facts about his life and career.
Andrew Johnston Golf Facts
1. His full name is Andrew Thomas Johnston.
2. Johnston's nickname is “Beef” – a nickname he's had since he was about 11 or 12, when a friend noticed that his Afro looked like a hunk of meat.
3. He was born on February 18, 1989 in London, England.
4. Johnston's father, Noel, was a bus driver and his mother was a school cafeteria waitress.
5. He has been playing golf since he was four years old, going to local golf courses with his father and siblings.
6. Johnston became a scratch golfer at age 16.
7. Johnston enjoyed success as an amateur, winning the men's international title in 2007 and playing for Great Britain and Ireland against Europe in the Jacques Legris Cup.
8. Johnston turned professional in 2009 and began his career on the Jammeh Tour.
9. His first professional victory came at the Jamega Tour, The Warwickshire, in 2009. His second victory came at The Vale Of Glamorgan in 2011.
10. Johnston’s breakout season came in 2011 when he competed in his first DP World Tour event and qualified for the Royal Cinque Ports Open.
Andrew Johnston gives a thumbs-up to the crowd at the 2016 Royal Troon Open
(Image source: Getty Images)
11. He barely managed to keep his DP World Tour membership until 2014, splitting his time between the European Tour and the Challenge Tour. In 2014, Johnston topped the Challenge Tour Order of Merit with two wins during the season.
12. In 2016, Johnston won his first DP World Tour title at the Spanish Open.
13. Johnston's best result in a Grand Slam event came in 2016, when he finished 8th at the Open. This result greatly increased his popularity among fans around the world and allowed him to enter the top 100 in the world rankings for the first time.
14. “Beef” is a fan of Arsenal Football Club and his interests include football, sports, cartoons and basketball.
15. Johnston earned his PGA Tour card for the 2017-18 season by finishing fourth at the Web.com Tour Finals at the Albertsons Boise Open.
Andrew Johnston holds the 2016 Spanish Open trophy
(Image source: Getty Images)
16. Johnston is married to Jodi Valencia and they have one daughter, Hallie Noelle.
17. Johnston has spoken publicly about his mental health struggles after admitting he struggled to cope with his newfound popularity and a period of poor form around 2019.
18. “Beef” missed more than a year after sustaining a thumb injury at the end of 2021. After returning in 2023, he underwent another surgery just one week later.
19. After launching his YouTube channel in 2022, Johnston began posting videos with tips and lessons. He also started a cooking series called “Better BBQ with Beef.”
20. Johnson published a book in 2024 titled “Golf Is Hard.”
Andrew Johnston biography
| Name | Andrew Thomas Johnston |
| Nick name | beef |
| born | February 18, 1989 – London, England |
| high | 5 ft 9 in (1.76 m) |
| Becoming a Pro | 2009 |
| Previous tour | Jermega Tour, European Pro Tour, Challenge Tour |
| Current Tours | DP World Tour, PGA Tour |
| Professional Victory | 5 |
| Best Major Finish | 8th place (2016 Open) |
| Career-high world ranking | 74th |
| Career income | $4.88 million |
Andrew Johnston wins
| Year | Activities (Touring) | Winning Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Warwickshire (Jamega Tour) | not applicable |
| 2011 | Vale of Glamorgan (Jamega Tour) | not applicable |
| 2014 | Scottish Hydro Challenge (Challenge Tour) | -19 (three strokes) |
| 2014 | Vaudreuil Golf Challenge (Challenge Tour) | -16 (two shots) |
| 2016 | Spanish Open (DP World Tour) | +1 (one transaction) |
