Kamaiu Johnson Triumphs in One-Hole Playoff at APGA Juneteenth Classic
LOS ANGELES (June 18, 2025) – Kamaiu Johnson knew what he had to do down the stretch Wednesday at the APGA Juneteenth Classic at Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles: trust the process.
The Tallahassee, Florida native birdied the final three holes, and four out of the last five, to force a sudden-death playoff with seven-time APGA Tour winner Marcus Byrd. After Byrd’s tee shot hit a tree and landed in the rough at the first playoff hole at 18, Johnson made birdie for his second consecutive APGA Tour victory.
Currently residing in Orlando, Florida, Johnson captured the APGA Juneteenth Classic with a clutch performance over the 36-hole, two-day event, finishing at 12-under-par 128 in regulation. The victory marked his second APGA Tour win of the 2025 season and boosts his climb up the APGA’s Cisco Cup Series and Jeff Dailey Points standings.
“I didn’t really look at the leaderboard,” a triumphant Johnson said. “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.”
A winner in his last outing at the APGA at TPC Scottsdale two weeks ago, Johnson earned a $7,500 winner’s share from the $25,000 purse and gained 500 Cisco Cup Series points.
Following his victory on the eve of Juneteenth, Johnson reflected on the federal holiday that commemorates 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,” the 31-year-old stated. “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.”
Additionally, Johnson paid tribute to the legendary African American golfers who paved the way for him and his fellow APGA competitors, as well as the non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring an inclusive future through the game of golf.
“I couldn’t have done this without guys like Charlie Sifford, Tiger Woods, Lee Elder, and Jim Thorpe,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at without the APGA Tour. I appreciate them giving us a platform to play golf.”
In Tuesday’s opening round, Johnson posted an impressive 5-under 65 with six birdies and one bogey. He finished the day tied for sixth alongside San Diego native Ryan Ellerbrock, trailing the leaders by one shot. Southern Californians Aaron Grimes (Compton), Jonathan Yoshihiro (Yorba Linda) and Michael Herrera (Moreno Valley native/Las Vegas resident), as well as Floridian John-Baptiste Hakizimana (Hobe Sound) and Peruvian Luis Fernando Barco led the way at 6-under 64.
Johnson grew up playing competitive baseball before discovering golf at age 14, shortly after his family moved near Hilaman Golf Course in Tallahassee. The course’s general manager noticed Kamaiu swinging a stick and invited him to practice at the club — a moment that sparked his journey in the sport. Since becoming a professional golfer, Johnson founded the My My Foundation to create opportunities for youth in underserved communities through the game of golf.
Like Johnson, Byrd finished strong down the stretch of Wednesday’s final round. He also birdied four out of the last five holes to make the playoff. The Washington, D.C. native earned his first APGA victory of the 2025 campaign on May 20 at the APGA at Port St. Lucie. Additionally, Wednesday’s second-place finish at the APGA Juneteenth Classic marked Byrd’s second APGA runner-up outing of 2025.
Troy Taylor II, of Columbus, Ohio, and Hakizimana finished one shot back at 11-under 129, while Joey Stills (Davenport, Florida) and Ellerbrock each carted a 10-under 130 to finish in a tie for fifth place.
The APGA Tour hosts its eighth tournament of the year at the APGA at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, from June 16-18, and the 2025 season runs through November with 17 tournaments from coast to coast.
