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.