Zach Johnson, an Iowa native and Drake Graduate, won a four-hole Open playoff on Monday afternoon to win his second career major, the Open Championship.
The 39 year old beat out Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a four hole playoff to win his second career PGA Tour Major. His first was back in 2007, winning the Masters by two strokes.
Going into the Playoff, Zach Johnson had won three of the four playoffs he’s been in.
“I’ve come a long way since 2007, that launched my golf career,” Johnson said. “I think what this does if anything, really puts things in perspective for me.”
During his post play interview, Johnson was very emotional.
“I can’t, I’m at a loss for words. You don’t want to see a tournament end in a miss. Louis is a champion and a friend,” Johnson said. “But I’m grateful, I’m humbled, I’m thankful, I’m honored. This is the birth place of the game.”
“That jug means so much in sports, and specifically this tournament and in golf. It hasn’t set in yet Tom I got to be honest,” Johnson said. “I felt great, I was patient, I had some scriptures going through my head, I thanked the Lord, I thanked my friends, I thanked my family, I’m just in awe right now.”
Johnson, playing some of the best golf of his career, shows no sign of slowing down.
“Goal setting will never stop,” Johnson said. “I will continue to work hard and practice hard and see where things go.”
Upon seeing Oosthuizen’s putt miss, Johnson’s caddie, Damon Green, told him, “You’re on top of the world again.”
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