Ryggs Johnston, a highly touted state champion and sophomore at Libby High School, has verbally committed to play golf at Arizona State University.
Johnston announced the decision on Twitter.
The 16-year-old set a new Class B state record last spring as a freshman, carding 68-63 — 131 on the Johnny Walker Course at Pryor Creek Golf Club in Huntley, and he frequently competes in elite national tournaments. Last summer, he tied for fifth overall at the Junior America’s Cup in Mexico against many of the top amateur golfers in North America. He was the fourth-best golfer from the U.S. and finished only three strokes out of second place and five out of first.
Last June, as Johnston was on his way to shooting a tournament-low 6-under 66 on the final day of the Western Junior Championship in Royal Park, Michigan to finish third overall, Yahoo! Sports National Columnist Dan Wetzel wrote about the herd of top college coaches following this wonder kid from Northwest Montana, who “is probably the top rated uncommitted player out there.”
At the time, Johnston told the Beacon he had already received full-ride scholarship offers from UNLV, Arizona, Michigan and Oregon, the reigning Division I national championship program.