Andrew 'Beef' Johnston Reveals Return Date And Ryder Cup Hopes After Long-Term Hand Injury
The fan-favourite Englishman has competed in one event since the start of 2022 but has ambitious goals for his return to action
Andrew 'Beef' Johnston has revealed he plans to make his long-awaited return from injury in late November at the Joburg Open after a nine-month spell on the sidelines.
Johnston has made just one appearance since November 2021 as he struggled to deal with a recurring hand injury.
The fan-favourite Englishman made a return at January’s Dubai Desert Classic - going on to finish T38 - but had to undergo surgery the following week after the injury flared up again.
However, having recovered from the surgery, Johnston hopes to make his return to full-time competition at the start of the DP World Tour's 2024 season, which begins in South Africa on 23th November.
"I can't wait," the 34-year-old said on his podcast, Beef's Golf Club, when announcing his comeback. "Since I've been back from the Ryder Cup I've been practising hitting balls and the hands getting better all the time.
An update from @BeefGolf about his recovery 🙌Mark your calendars, as our chairman returns to pro golf next month in the Johannesburg Open 📆 pic.twitter.com/ndJxi4eNWIOctober 11, 2023
"I've started a new programme where I am doing a lot more mobility in the gym. A lot more stretching and hopefully I can find the balance were I become more flexible and don't become injured again."
Johnston won his maiden DP World Tour title in the 2016 Open de Espana and finished T8 at The Open in the same year which catapulted him up to a career-highest ranking of World No. 74.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
His charismatic persona and nickname made him a hit with fans in Europe and America but persistent trouble with injuries have seen him drop down to 1,738th in the world.
Johnston is hopeful of playing all four events before the close of the year and has revealed his ambitious plan to try and make the European Ryder Cup team for Bethpage in 2025.
"Injury has kept me away from the game for much of the last two years and nothing has provided me with as much motivation to get back and be better than ever than the week at Marco Simone," he said in his column with Today's Golfer. "It blew my mind and I’m going to give it everything to ensure I’m part of the next European team.
"I’ve got a lot of fire in me to make that Ryder Cup team and I’m setting myself high targets. People ask if I want to win tournaments, play on the PGA Tour and play or win Majors – of course, I do, but the way I look at it is that if I’ve made a Ryder Cup team then a lot of those other things should have fallen into place."
Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
The Three Most Confusing Rules In Golf And How To Interpret Them
At times, golf’s rules can be complex and confusing. Here we look at three of the most confusing rules in golf and give you the info you need to understand them.
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
There's A Growing Divide Between Club Members And Nomadic Golfers When It Comes To Handicapping... And I'm Concerned About It
Some golfers believe competition play should be a pre-requisite to achieving a ‘valid’ handicap, while others feel you should be able to submit a card whenever you want
By Nick Bonfield Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Ninth Favorite At Pinehurst As PGA Champion Xander Schauffele Trails Rory McIlroy In Early US Open Odds
The bookmakers have released their odds for the next men's Major championship - the US Open - and there are a few eyebrow-raising situations at hand
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Surprising Pro Surges To Second Behind Rory McIlroy In Most Popular PGA Championship Bets 2024
Despite having not yet won a Major, one name has moved past multiple champions like Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in terms of total bet share for the PGA Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
World Wide Technology Championship Purse, Prize Money And Field 2023
PGA Championship hero Michael Block appears as the tournament heads to a new venue
By Mike Hall Published
-
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Purse, Prize Money And Field 2023
Ewen Ferguson defends his title as the DP World Tour heads to the Middle East at Doha Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Fans Forced To Leave DP World Tour Event Due To High Winds
High winds caused some of the Andalucia Masters' first round to be played behind closed doors due to fears over fan safety
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Top Amateur Follows Ludvig Aberg's Footsteps And Secures PGA Tour Card In College
Gordon Sargent is the first player to earn his Tour card through the new PGA TOUR University Accelerated system
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Rickie Fowler Eyes Up Olympic Games After Ryder Cup Nightmare
The American endured a torrid time in Rome but the experience has motivated him to try and represent the US again next summer
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Phil Mickelson And Ian Poulter Certain Of More High Profile LIV Signings
The two team captains suggest they have already been in contact with several notable players about making the jump in the off-season
By Ben Fleming Published