American Ryggs Johnston took up golf at an early age and after a stellar high school career, he had an equally impressive college golf journey at Arizona State .
Johnston is now taking that success into his professional career. Here are 15 things to know about the rising star.
Riggs Johnston Facts
1. Ryggs Johnston was born on May 21, 2000 in Libby, Montana.
2. He first started playing the game at the age of two with plastic clubs.
3. He won four consecutive high school state championships with the Libby Timbers.
4. Johnston improvised a practice area in his parents' basement — a ball returner with an artificial turf track and marked different spots on the floor with tape so he could practice speed control.
5. Johnston played for Arizona State University. When he enrolled in 2019, he said: “Being a Sun Devil has been my dream since I was a kid.”
6. He shot a 7-under 63 in the second round at the 2021 NCAA Division I Championship, the Sun Devils' second-best round in the tournament's history. This helped him finish third individually in the championship.
Ryggs Johnston finishes third at 2021 NCAA Division I Championships
(Image source: Getty Images)
7. He became the second Sun Devil men's player to be the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
8. During his ASU career, he appeared in 52 games and logged 157 rounds, including 44 in the '60s.
9. He graduated with a degree in management and a certificate in sports business.
10. Johnston entered the tour through PGA Tour College and will make his professional debut on the PGA Tour of the Americas in June 2024.
11. He had hoped to finish in the top 10 in the standings to earn a Korn Ferry Tour card, but despite a best finish of tied for fifth at the Manitoba Open at Canadian Railway Park in CentrePort, he ended up with only 59 peopleth in the standings.
12. Instead, in November 2024, Johnston shot 21 under in the final stages of Q-school to qualify for the DP World Tour for the 2025 season.
Ryggs Johnston gets DP World Tour card via Q-school
(Image source: Getty Images)
13. He made his DP World Tour debut at the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship, finishing tied for 43rd. Things were even better at his second event, the Australian Open, where he was tied for the lead heading into the final round.
14. In addition to golf, he enjoys fishing, hunting, and boating.
15. Tiger Woods is his golf hero.
| born | May 21, 2000 – Libby, Montana |
| high | 6 feet 3 inches (1.92 m) |
| University | Arizona State University |
| Turn pro | 2024 |
| Current itinerary | PGA Americas Tour, DP World Tour |
