Kamaiu Johnson Captures APGA Juneteenth Classic in Dramatic Playoff
There was no shortage of excitement at this year’s APGA Juneteenth Classic, held at Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles. Kamaiu Johnson delivered a clutch performance, birdieing four of the final five holes to force a sudden-death playoff with seven-time APGA Tour winner Marcus Byrd.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
There was no shortage of excitement at this year’s APGA Juneteenth Classic, held at Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles. Kamaiu Johnson delivered a clutch performance, birdieing four of the final five holes to force a sudden-death playoff with seven-time APGA Tour winner Marcus Byrd.
The Tallahassee, Florida, native capitalized on a key opportunity when Byrd’s tee shot struck a tree and landed in the rough on the first playoff hole. Johnson followed with a birdie on the par-4 18th to claim his second straight APGA Tour win.
Johnson finished the 36-hole event at 12-under-par 128, securing the title and earning 500 Cisco Cup Series points along with the $7,500 winner’s share of the $25,000 purse.
“I didn’t really look at the leaderboard,” said Johnson, who also won at TPC Scottsdale two weeks ago. “I put one foot in front of the other, kept my head down, and tried to make as many birdies as possible. I just fell in love with the process and tried to do the little things right.”
Honoring History
The win carried added significance as it came on the eve of Juneteenth, now a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
“This holiday and winning here in Los Angeles mean a lot, especially where we are in the world right now,” said the 31-year-old. “They’re trying to take our history. It’s up to us to keep our history alive. We celebrate us. It doesn’t matter what you look like; good people are good people.”
Johnson also paid tribute to the trailblazers of African American golf who made his journey possible.
“I couldn’t have done this without guys like Charlie Sifford, Tiger Woods, Lee Elder, and Jim Thorpe,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at without the APGA Tour. I appreciate them giving us a platform to play golf.”
A Battle to the Finish
Johnson opened the tournament with a 5-under 65, notching six birdies and one bogey to sit one stroke behind the leaders. He was tied for sixth with San Diego’s Ryan Ellerbrock, trailing a group that included Southern Californians Aaron Grimes (Compton), Jonathan Yoshihiro (Yorba Linda), Michael Herrera (Moreno Valley), as well as John-Baptiste Hakizimana (Hobe Sound, Florida) and Luis Fernando Barco (Peru), all of whom shot 64.
Like Johnson, Byrd closed strong, also birdieing four of the last five holes to join the playoff. The Washington, D.C., native previously won the APGA event at Port St. Lucie in May and now has two runner-up finishes this season.
Troy Taylor II (Columbus, Ohio) and Hakizimana finished one stroke back at 11-under 129. Joey Stills (Davenport, Florida) and Ellerbrock tied for fifth at 10-under 130.
About the APGA Tour
Founded in 2010, the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour is a nonprofit committed to diversifying golf through competitive opportunities, player development, and outreach to inner-city youth. The APGA hosts 18 tournaments annually, distributing over $1 million in prize and bonus money. Its next stop is TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, June 16–18.
Johnson’s story is a testament to the power of opportunity. After discovering golf at age 14 near Tallahassee’s Hilaman Golf Course, he’s now helping the next generation through his My My Foundation, which supports youth in underserved communities.
