Libby's golf phenom has whirlwind summer

Most two year olds are busy exploring the world around them as they master the art of walking. When Ryggs Johnston was two years old he had a golf club in his hand as he began his quest to master the sport of golf.

Johnston is now 15 years old and spent his summer traveling the countryside playing in a number of golf tournaments.

The 15-year-old golf prodigy said he lost track of the number of tournaments he played in this summer.

“I probably played in 15 tournaments,” he said. “I played in a lot of them. They all kind of blended together. I played a lot of rounds this summer. There were just too many to count. It was a fun summer.”

Johnston traveled as far as North Carolina this summer with his family. He took part in the U.S. Amateur Championship in Chicago, the same tournament that Tiger Woods played in when he was younger.

“The furthest we traveled was North Carolina,” he said. “I didn’t have a favorite tournament, but if I had to pick it would have been the Pinehurst tournament in North Carolina or the National Big “I” Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. I took second place in the Pinehurst tournament and finished third in the National Big “I” Tournament.”

Johnston’s summer tour isn’t over yet. He’ll be playing in another tournament over Labor Day weekend.

“I have a men’s tournament next Saturday,” he said. “That tournament will be at the Buffalo Hill Golf Club in Kalispell.”

Golf isn’t just a hobby for Johnston. It’s something that he practices year-round.

 “I’ll play in a couple of tournaments down in Arizona during the winter,” he said. “On a typical summer day when I’m not playing in a tournament I’ll usually play nine or 18 holes. It just depends on the day and what’s going on.”

Physical fitness is important for any athlete. That’s no different for Johnston, who had a grueling summer playing in a lot of tournaments.

“I’ll work out,” he said. “I lift weights. I spend some time hitting on the simulator that’s at my grandparents. I also play basketball and that helps me stay in shape.”

Johnston said he enjoys playing basketball, but that golf is his true love.

“I enjoy golf because I’m good at it,” he said. “It’s fun to play. You are outside and I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of beautiful courses. Golf is a challenging sport. Each course is different and each course offers a different challenge. It’s challenging mentally and physically. It’s fun competing against the best in the world knowing that you’re right in the mix with them.”

Since Johnston was knee high to a grasshopper he’s had a golf club in his hand. He said he didn’t realize how good he could be until recently.

“I started golfing when I was two years old,” he said. “When I was 11 I knew I was an alright golfer because I took third at state for the 13 and under division. It didn’t really hit me that I was pretty good until last year when I took second in the U.S. Teen World Tournament. I look forward to improving and continuing to compete.”