United States
Profile: Zach Johnson
| Born | Iowa City, Iowa |
|---|---|
| age | 30 |
| height | 5ft 11in |
| Turned Pro | 1998 |
| World ranking | 42 |
| Appearances | Debut |
| Won | Lost | Halved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | - | - | - |
| Foursomes | - | - | - |
| Fourball | - | - | - |
| Total | - | - | - |
| Win Rate | - |
Zach Johnson is another one of Tom Lehman's rookie players and earned his place on the American team on the back of a string of strong performances on the PGA Tour. Although he didn't win a combination of two-runner up finishes, third once plus another top 10 ensured valuable Ryder Cup points from the US qualifying format.
The 30-year-old gained invaluable points from his second places in the Bellsouth Classic and the Memorial while also finishing third at the WGC-Accenture World Matchplay. Ironically he beat his captain Tom Lehman in the consolation third -placed match.
His finest hour was actually winning the BellSouth Classic in 2004 and previous to that he had won twice on the Nationwide Tour at the Rheem Classic and Envirocare Utah Classic, both in 2003.
Johnson is unique in many ways in that he sits on the company board who run the John Deere Classic tournament on the PGA Tour. Although he maintains his role is minimal and perhaps more an advisory role to learn what the players the players like. Still, he says it gives him a greater understanding and learning of how tournaments are run.
Johnson still has a close affinity with his roots in Iowa and is a huge Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball fan. He also anticipates generating a big following when he competes on golf's biggest stage at the Ryder Cup. He maintains Iowa folk are sports crazy, just as he is, and they always support their own in whatever sport.
- Paul Gallagher