I think the media and pundits have really missed the boat with Zach Johnson. They are saying this was a fluke, and he was the most underqualified champion in many years. The guy was Hooters tour player of the year. He once won 3 times in a row. He's won before on tour. We all forgot (or tried to forget) the latest Ryder Cup debacle, but one thing I can't forget is how great Zach Johnson and Zach Johnson alone played, showing nerves of steel and iron determination. A great story, and a fine ending.
Well, Zach Johnson did come on the PGA Tour with a lot of hype. He did great on the Nationwide Tour a few years back and I think a lot of people looked to him as proof as how to become successful on the PGA Tour. I don't necessarily think him winning was a fluke but even after Saturday's round, I didn't give him wearing the green jacket much thought.
I Like Zach He tore it up on the Nationwide and has come along nicely since joining the tour. Kinda reminds me of a young Tom Watson. I will say that this years Masters was Tricked up like a US open (which I hate) and that resulted in the great random winner. (hit on this yard and its two feet from the cup hit a yard to the left and its a 45' putt or worse hit a yard to the right and its in the water) I hated this years masters.
Well, Zach Johnson was definitely a surprise to me today. I thought it was Tigers tournament to lose going into Sunday as most people probably did. Zach Johnson came onto the PGA Tour with a lot of fanfare I think because he tore it up on the Nationwide Tour. He did make it into the top 40 in the World rankings previously and is surely to be back in there again.
I believe they said it was his first Masters, that he had only been there as a visitor back in 2001 with some buddies. As to Zach as a player, after he bogeyed 16 in the third round after being close, I said to my partner, "Zach's a tough guy, he won't crumble." Zach may not hit the long ball, or have all of the skills of a Mickelson or Woods, but that guy is one heck of a competitor. Sure, he'll falter in spots, but he is as gritty as they come. I think he likes the big stage as well. This year's Masters was about grit, the ability to handle extremely difficult conditions, bounce back from adversity, and perform under the the most intense pressure. Of course you had to have enough game to stay in this thing. We saw what happened to Goosen, Rose, and yes, Woods, coming down the stretch. They all made crucial errors at inopportune times. Even when Zach made a couple of errors, he managed to pull it together and come up with the goods shortly thereafter. Will he be able to do that consistently? Only time will tell, but he has done so on all the other tours on which he has played, and that suggests that he may be able to do it on the big tour as well. His impressive Ryder Cup performance was no fluke. The guy can hang tough in tough situations. You gotta like that! As for this year's Masters, I loved it! We see pros bombing courses every week. Watching them handle adversity, like most human beings do on a daily basis, and seeing them rise to the occasion, seeing them struggle and deal with the crisis of self that golf offers, was refreshing. Having so many players with a chance to battle through that crisis and emerge victorious is the essence of golf for me. With every opportunity to crumble on that final chip on 18, Zach Johnson dang near holed the thing. It was a thing of beauty. I liked it a lot better than watching everybody fall apart when the shadow of the Tiger loomed. Would I like to have seen Tiger pull off the miracle comeback? Sure, it would have been beautiful theater. But it was also good stuff to see Zach master the moment!
I think the media and pundits have really missed the boat with Zach Johnson. They are saying this was a fluke, and he was the most underqualified champion in many years. The guy was Hooters tour player of the year. He once won 3 times in a row. He's won before on tour. We all forgot (or tried to forget) the latest Ryder Cup debacle, but one thing I can't forget is how great Zach Johnson and Zach Johnson alone played, showing nerves of steel and iron determination. A great story, and a fine ending.
I have nothing against Zach. I think he's a great player.
However, with only one PGA tour win, he IS the most underqualified champion in many years.
As far as the Ryder Cup, I guess I did forget how great "Zack Johnson and Zack Johnson alone played". His Ryder Cup record is 1-2-1. That's only one win (with a partner). "Nerves of steel and iron determination" is not what I think of when I see his record.
I think he's a great player, but I beleive his career with be closer to Mike Weir than Tiger or Phil.
Zach came in with the lowest number over this particular four-day period, which, by the way, clearly was no easy accomplishment. He pulled it off under immense pressure and proved that he deserved it. Only serious contenders (and former champions) get in to this dance-- once again, it doesn't really matter whether or not some feel he is somehow unworthy, or a fluke. I was impressed by his grace under pressure, laser iron play, steady putter, and intestinal fortitude. Hats off, Zach.
He went out there and earned it. If the other guys would have collapsed around him and the green jacket would have fell in his lap, then i would be more disappointed. But this guy charged ahead.
I was kinda pulling for Goosen b/c the guy is turning into Ernie Els with all these runners-up at the Masters. He has four top-3 finishes now in like the last 5 years? And it would have been an amazing story to see a guy who was the last to make it into the cut come back and win it. But huge kudos to Zach Johnson. He earned it for sure.
Great tournament, but cmon, let's not go overboard. He's a journeyman player who had one great week. Maybe the next Todd Hamilton would be a better comparison than Tom Watson. I wouldn't even say Mike Weir - that guy has had a great career even if it ended today. Really nice guy though, and it was great to see someone other than Tiger win.
like so many other golfers on tour that have yet lived up to their potential, Zack had been put in that category. At least he has now won a major - not Sergio. Only time will tell if he was a fluke (Shaun Micheel, I guess more like Ben Curtis who has a couple of other wins)
Like they say in football...on any given Sunday. Zach was the best player for those four days, in very difficult conditions. I would say that should give him a lot of confidence going into other tournaments.
You can't make the PGA Tour unless you are good ball striker. I think the difference amongst these players is what goes on between the ears. I was impressed with how Zach held it together. The Ryder Cup experience probably helped him dealing with large crowds and pressure situations.
Some have said he is a "one hit wonder". So what? Bottom line is he won a Green Jacket. What have these naysayers won?
The guy's a Ryder Cupper, he's won on Tour before and he's had a number of top-10s. I'd put him more in that category of a David Toms or Geoff Ogilvy rathr than a Todd Hamilton or Rich Beem. This guy was due for a breakout, and it just so happened it came at Augusta. I'd be willing to put a lot of money down that he'll win another major before his career is over
I have always enjoyed watching Zach's swing. I don't really like the swing itself, but I do like the fact that it is a very distinct, 'different' action. I used to swing that way for a while a few years ago, but it didn't work as well for me as it does for Zach. (< Understatement of the Year!!!)
April 9th, 2007, 05:26 AM
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