About Zach Johnson

By Brad Wilbricht

cart path near a putting green
Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Zach Johnson burst onto the golf scene following his win at the 2007 Masters. Johnson began playing golf at the age of 10 and was a relatively late bloomer in terms of his performance. After enrolling at Drake University, Johnson was known as the Bulldogs' second-best player on the roster. However, his work ethic and tenacity have contributed towards his rise in the golf world.

Early Career

Johnson turned professional in 1998 and got his start on several mini tours including the Nationwide Tour, Hooters Tour and Prairie Golf Tour. He automatically qualified for the PGA Tour in 2004 after finishing first on the Nationwide Tour money list with nearly $500,000 in earnings. His first win on the PGA Tour came later that year at the BellSouth Classic. In order to help with the financial expenses of playing professional golf, Johnson was funded by a group of investors early in his career.

PGA Tour

A six-time winner on the PGA Tour, Johnson has developed into a fan favorite due to his blue collar attitude and Midwestern roots. In addition to his career-changing victory at the Masters, Johnson won the Valero Texas Open twice (2008 and 2009) and other notable wins include the AT&T Classic in 2007 and the 2009 Sony Open. As of July 2009, Johnson currently ranks fifth on the PGA Tour money list with nearly $4 million in earnings and fourth in the FedEx Cup standings. For his career, Johnson has accumulated in excess of $15 million.

2007 Masters and Ryder Cup

At the 2007 Masters, Johnson held off Tiger Woods in the final round to secure his first green jacket. The win thrust Johnson into the spotlight after being a relative unknown, ranking 56th in the Official Worldwide Golf Rankings at the time of the victory. A year prior to his first major championship, Johnson qualified for the U.S. Ryder Cup team that fell to the Europeans for the third consecutive time. Johnson struggled to a 1-2-1 record, with his lone victory coming in Four-ball competition.

Other Ventures

In 2006, Johnson teamed with one of his main sponsors, Aegon, to form the Birdies That Care foundation that aims to benefit the less fortunate. For each birdie or eagle Johnson makes during PGA Tour events, he donates $50 while Aegon donates $100.

Personal

In 2009, Johnson resides in St. Simons Island, Georgia with his wife, Kim, and their son. Johnson is a large supporter of the University of Iowa athletic program and has taken part in several charitable events in his home state of Iowa.

Resources

About the Author

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft, college football and PGA Tour. Since 2004, his analysis has been simulcast through several media outlets across the country including ESPN and Fox Sports.