Masters 2007

Johnson Proves His Medal In Masters Victory

Sunday, April 8, 2007
Vartan Kupelian

Zach Johnson proved Sunday that when he plays his own game, he’s capable of winning at golf’s highest levels.

Johnson, a 31-year-old Iowan, played the round of his life at Augusta National Golf Club.

Challenged by some of the game’s greatest champions, among them four-time winner Tiger Woods and two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, Johnson relied on his skill, guile and heart to shoot a final round three-under-par 69 for a 289 total, and a two-shot victory in the Masters.

It was a stunning performance by Johnson, whose only other PGA Tour victory came in 2004 at the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta.

In a final day that saw six golfers lead at some point, Johnson took the lead alone for the first time with a birdie at the 13th hole. He laid up his second shot on the par 5 hole, hit an approach in ideal position, and made the 10-foot putt.

"I did not go for any (par-5) green in two this week," Johnson said. "I had limitations on what clubs I had to have in. I had good lay-up numbers. I had a good game plan on how to approach every pin. I don’t have many wedges into many of the holes here, so I was able to take advantage of good numbers."

That's typical of Johnson, a humble young man from America's heartland who doesn't see himself as anything but a normal guy.

"I’m very normal," said Johnson, still moved by his greatest triumph. "I'm as normal as they come."

Johnson benefited by his final round pairing with Augusta native Vaughn Taylor, one of his closest friends.

"Having a buddy next to you certainly doesn’t hurt," Johnson said.

Johnson won the Masters with his performance on the par-5 holes. He was 11-under-par and never was tempted to try the heroic shot. It’s not his style. This is a young golfer who is substance first, style second.

"I didn't look at the board," said Johnson, who was a member of the 2006 U. S. Ryder Cup team. "I really didn't know what was going on. I did what I was doing – staying in the present. My caddie, Damon Green, was keeping an eye on the lead. I guess ignorance is bliss sometimes."

"I could tell from the fans what was going on. At the 14th hole, (Green) said we’ve got a 2-shot lead."

A birdie at the 14th was Johnson's second straight.

Johnson didn't flinch in the face of the challenges by Woods and Goosen.

"Zach has been a good player for a long time," Goosen said. "He hits the ball very solid, very straight, and he's a very good putter. That's what you need to do around Augusta."

Sabbatini said of Johnson's round, "That's phenomenal … under the circumstances, that's just great golf."

"It just goes to prove that if you focus on what you're doing and you don't think ahead, you're going to be fine," Sabbatini said. "Zach's just proof of that. He's a very levelheaded golfer. He's very consistent. He's also tenacious, and that's what you need to win."

Johnson accepted the accolades humbly. He said the victory was "surreal, very surreal."

"My goal is to maintain my focus," Johnson said. "Maintain an even keel. I played my own game. I never got down. I felt comfortable with the putter and confident with what I was doing."

"I love to play this game."

Bobby Jones would have loved to hear that.

Zach Johnson
Birthdate: February 24, 1976
Country: United States
Best Masters Finish: T32 (2006)

(14) Winner of the 2007 Masters. A pair of runner-up finishes in 2006 at the BellSouth Classic and the Memorial and was third at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Also earned his first Ryder Cup berth. Winner of the 2004 BellSouth Classic in his rookie season. Made 24 of 30 cuts that year and picked up his first PGA TOUR win in his 13th career tournament. 2003 Nationwide Tour Player of the Year making 19 of 20 cuts, including the last 17, and finishing first on the money list. Third Masters appearance.