Local Sports Journal
The Florida Open had quite a surprise this past weekend when Muskegon native and new Ocala, Fla. resident Caleb Johnson showed up.
Johnson won the championship after he birdied six out of the last seven holes to finish with a 65 and a 204 three-day total. Johnson hasn’t even lived in the Sunshine State for a whole year yet but has now won $12,000 in the win.
On No. 17, Johnson was able to take the lead off a 3-ft birdie putt. But perhaps the biggest challenge of the day came on the No. 16 par three. Johnson snuck away with a bogey but managed to stay tied with Tyler Hock who boogied as well.
With his second shot placed just a foot from the hole on 18, Johnson was able to seal another birdie and the win.
The former Muskegon Community College player and Western Michigan Christian High School graduate turned pro a year ago. Jonhson’s only other win came on a mini-tour event in Jacksonville back in December.
Johnson made the Florida Open after his general manager at Ocala National, Stan Cooke, withdrew from the event. That opened up the door for Johnson to get a shot at the win.
