Johnny Miller First to Win with Long Putter?

[Clambake]

Watching the Golf Channel tonight, Johnny Miller was interviewed in Maui and when asked about the long putter, he commented that he was the first person to win on the PGA tour using a long putter, indicating he did this at the 1987 ATT.    Other info I've ready said that Rocco Mediate was the first with his 1991 win at Doral.     Is Johnny BS'ing us or could it be true that he went non-traditional so early on?

[Shorty]

Johnny Miller is credited as being the first professional to use a long putter in competition, but his claim to have invented it can't be verified, from what I have read.

[Ricochet]

Both statements are correct indeed. Johnny Miller first used the Long Putter in 1987, however Rocco Mediate was the first to win a tournament with the long putter in 1991.

[zipazoid]

I'd say the first pro to use a "long putter" in a tournament was the guy who broke his putter & had to use a 2-iron.

[broomhandle]

Johnny had the extra shaft up his left arm, maybe all the way to the armpit.

I guess literally a 'long putter' but not really a prelude to either belly putting or broomhandling.

Paul Runyan won tournaments and advocated a belly style for for some people way back in the 30's but I don't know if he actually won using that style.