Johnson began the season inside the top 16 for the first time in his career, albeit only just at World number 16. At the 1986 World Championship Johnson was relatively unheralded, especially as he'd never won a televised match until just the previous year. He had also never won a match at the Crucible Theatre, and was rated a 150–1 outsider. He met former champion Terry Griffiths in the quarter-finals. He led 9–7 going into the final session, but Griffiths then won five straight frames to lead 12–9 before Johnson won 4 straight frames himself, including two century breaks to win 13–12. He then defeated Knowles 16–8 in the semi-finals. In the final he met world number 1 Steve Davis – then at the peak of his ability. Johnson trailed 3–1 and 7–4 in the opening stages but surged ahead to lead 12–8 and ended the third session 13–11 ahead. In the evening session Johnson took five of the opening six frames to seal a shock 18–12 victory.