US Trends

what happened to beef the golfer

Andrew “Beef” Johnston is still alive and involved in golf, but injuries and mental health struggles have meant fewer tour starts and more off-course projects in recent years.

Who is “Beef” the golfer?

  • “Beef” is English pro golfer Andrew Johnston, a fan favorite known for his beard, personality, and love of burgers.
  • He became widely known after winning the 2016 Open de España on the DP World Tour and contending in big events around 2016–2019.

What happened to his playing career?

  • After his rise, Johnston’s appearances dropped due to a mix of physical injuries and mental-health challenges, which he has spoken about openly in interviews.
  • He suffered a serious left‑thumb injury (complete ligament tear and partial tendon tears) that required surgery and kept him out for a long stretch after the 2024 BMW PGA Championship.
  • In late 2025 he was preparing a return, targeting events like the Genesis Championship and then tournaments in Australia, with the focus on simply enjoying competitive golf again.

What is he doing now?

  • Johnston has leaned into media and fan engagement, including hosting a lighthearted golf podcast called “Beef’s Golf Club,” where he talks about the game with comedian John Robins and various guests.
  • He has also built a personal brand around his Beef persona, including merch and regular content aimed at making golf feel more fun and accessible for casual players.

Important note on another “Beef” in golf

  • There is also Cody “Beef” Franke, a U.S. teaching pro and Barstool Sports/Fore Play personality, who sadly died at age 31 after a sudden medical event in 2025.
  • Online threads about “what happened to Beef the golfer” sometimes mix these two people up, but Andrew “Beef” Johnston (the European Tour winner) is alive; Cody “Beef” Franke is the one who passed away.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.