Justin Charles Garrett Leonard (born June 15, 1972)
is an American professional golfer.
Leonard was born in Dallas, Texas. He attended the
University of Texas at Austin and was the individual
NCAA champion in 1994. He won the Haskins Award in
1994 as the most outstanding collegiate golfer.
As a professional he made his name by winning the
1997 British Open, one of golf's four majors. He has
eleven career wins on the PGA Tour. Apart from his
British Open, his highest profile victory came at
the 1998 Players Championship. He ranked in the top
10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for several
weeks in 1998 and 1999.
Leonard made the United States Ryder Cup team in
1997 and 1999. In the 1999 event, Leonard made a
45-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole to complete
a remarkable comeback by the U.S. team on the final
day. The victory was somewhat marred by the
celebration following Leonard's putt, when other
U.S. players, their wives, and a few fans ran onto
the green even though Leonard's opponent, José María
Olazábal, still had an opportunity to match Leonard
on the hole.
Leonard and his wife have two daughters and one son.
