Kamaiu Johnson lands exemption to Honda Basic following COVID-19 delayed dream of playing on tour

Two days just after COVID-19 kept Kamaiu Johnson from his desire of participating in on the PGA Tour, the Honda Common stepped forward Thursday to make absolutely sure the inspiring Black golfer gets his shot.

Johnson was the prime player on the Advocates Professional Golfing Affiliation final yr, and the Farmers Insurance policies Open up awarded him a sponsor exemption to participate in together with some of the greatest in the world at Torrey Pines.

And then he analyzed optimistic for the coronavirus on Tuesday and experienced to withdraw.

The Honda Traditional, to be held March 18-21 in his dwelling condition of Florida, presented Johnson an exemption.

“As I said when I initial acquired that I would be compelled to withdraw, a fork in the road often has an fascinating way of foremost to new prospects,” Johnson reported. “It was further than disappointing not to be in a position to play at the Farmers Insurance plan Open following all of the help that Farmers has proven me and the APGA Tour.

“Now, to obtain out that I will even now have a possibility to satisfy my desire of actively playing on the PGA Tour is virtually overpowering.”

Johnson grew up in the tiny Florida town of Madison and performed on a youth vacation baseball team with former Chicago Cubs All-Star Addison Russell. But he dropped out of the eighth grade mainly because he was put in a class for sluggish learners and felt torn down.

Living with his grandmother in a crowded two-bed room apartment around a golf program, he was spotted swinging a adhere by the city golf superintendent, Jan Auger. She built him a deal. If he aided all over the club, he could engage in for $1 for every round. For the up coming five years, Johnson pretty much lived at Hilaman Park, honing his game.

“Golf saved me,” Johnson explained to Golfing Digest previous year. “It gave me a reason to live, gave me a intent.”

The APGA Tour was established 10 several years back to get ready Black and other minority golfers to contend and acquire greater entry across the golfing field.

Johnson concluded in the prime 10 in the last 5 APGA occasions final calendar year, profitable its Tour Championship. He was overjoyed when the Farmers Insurance policies Open up known as to offer him an exemption in Oct.

A working day following Johnson had to withdraw, he uncovered his mom was hospitalized with breathing difficulties from COVID-19.

“This is turning into a nightmare from hell,” Johnson tweeted Wednesday.

He mentioned Thursday that she was enhancing, and his spirits had been very superior much too.

Ken Kennerly, the executive director of the Honda Traditional, mentioned he and match director Andrew George were acquainted with Johnson from when he tried using to go as a result of Monday qualifying final yr at the Honda.

“When we heard what took place to him at Farmers this 7 days, we felt strongly that we preferred to give him a opportunity to engage in at The Honda Basic. We come to feel it is critical to aid the advancement of golfers from our house point out,” Kennerly mentioned. “We have generally been about developing the sport of golf for youthful gamers, and Kamaiu is this sort of an inspiration for so numerous of them.”