Johnson Keeps Rolling in June, Edges Haskins for Minnesota State Junior Boys’ Title

 MINNEAPOLIS – With only a month left in the 2026 high school season, Henry Johnson felt like had yet to piece together a complete tournament during his senior season at Southwest Christian Academy.

“I was just not consistent at all,” Johnson said. “I’d have really good nines and then really bad nines.”

It wasn’t until a runner-up finish late in the season when he finally felt like his game was beginning to take shape.

The Mr. Minnesota Golf finalist posted another runner-up finish at the Section 2AA Championship at New Prague Golf Club before cruising to a four-stroke victory at the Class AA Championship at Ridges at Sand Creek, helped by his opening-round 67.

“During my whole high school career, I played terrible during sections and state,” he said. “I’d play well during the season and then play well during the summer, so when I played well at that point of the season this year, I thought maybe something switched. I knew that I was one of the best players and to be able to do that during those periods was telling."

A day after claiming the Class AA title, Johnson fired a 6-under 66 at The Links at North Fork to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Continuing his good fortune Wednesday, Johnson fired a final-round 73 at The Minikahda Club and survived a four-way playoff to capture the 100th Minnesota State Junior Boys’ Championship.

“To be able to win the 100th Minnesota State Junior Boys at a place like this is something I’ll remember forever,” Johnson said following his victory Wednesday. “I’m very grateful I was even able to get out here and play at all.”

Despite a pair of late bogeys during his final round, Johnson managed to fend off Ryder Haskins, Easton Fiddle and Wyatt Holmes with a two-putt for par on the second playoff hole for his biggest win to date.

“What stood out most to me— just staying comfortable,” said Johnson, a North Dakota State University commit. “I started over par two of my three rounds. There are some holes out here where you can get into a rhythm and that kind of brought me back. A couple of par-5s on the back that I was able to take advantage of as well.”

Even through a colorful scorecard during his opening nine Wednesday, Johnson converted his birdie putt from eight feet at the ninth to remain at 4-under for the championship.

A two-putt birdie at the 13th and a second birdie from inside of eight feet at the 14th gave Johnson a two-stroke lead coming down the stretch, but nerves crept in late, leading to back-to-back bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes.

A par at the last put Johnson into a share of the lead with Fiddle, Haskins and Holmes.

From the left rough on the first playoff hole, Johnson’s approach rolled within three feet of the cup, but his birdie putt was a must after Haskins chipped in for birdie.

Johnson sealed with championship with a par on the second playoff hole, getting up-and-down from a greenside bunker.

A pair of wins early this season, and jolt of confidence has Johnson looking ahead his first USGA championship next month at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.

“I see guys my age on TV and I haven’t really seen myself there because I haven’t won anything before,” he said. “Being able to win and play against guys who are going places, now I know I’m able to play well there as well.”

Sitting in a share of fifth, two shots off the lead entering his final round, Haskins stumbled out of the gate with a bogey at the first but answered by tallying three birdies over his next 11 holes to reach 5-under for the championship.

The Waconia sophomore and member of the inaugural Team Minnesota gave back two strokes with bogeys at the 14th and 16th holes, but managed one final birdie at the short, par-4 17th to earn a share of the lead and force a four-way playoff.

As Johnson was left with two feet for birdie on the first playoff hole, Haskins kept his chances alive by chipping in for birdie from off the left edge of the green to force a second.

Finding the bunker off the tee on the second playoff hole would lead to a bogey for Haskins to end his championship.

“I played really well this week,” Haskins said following his round Wednesday. “My ball-striking was great, especially iron play the first two rounds. Driver got a little wayward on the back nine today. But overall, it was really fun. I think it shows my hard work is paying off and I can play with anyone in the state. Coming this close stinks, but it was a good experience.

“Can’t believe I chipped in—I shouldn’t have even been in the second playoff hole.”

Entering the final round two shots off the lead, Fiddle played his opening 11 holes in 1-over par Wednesday before climbing back into contention with a pair of birdies at the 12th and 14th holes, helping him to a final-round 72 and into a four-way playoff.

The Team Minnesota member and White Bear Lake High School junior was eliminated following a two-putt par on the first playoff hole.

Holmes played his first 12 holes in 2-over par Wednesday but posted a late rally with three birdies over his final six holes to finish in a share of the clubhouse lead at 4-under 215.

A two-putt par at the first playoff hole dashed his chances at victory.

William Roiland, the Class AAA individual champion earlier this month, bounced back from a disappointing round of 80 during the second round Tuesday by firing a 5-under 68 Wednesday to climb the leaderboard into a share of fifth place with Braylon Ylkanen and Russell Ylitalo at 3-under 216.

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