Johnson's win casts light on tough year for Iowa, himself
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
SAN ANTONIO -- This one was for Iowa.
For Cedar Rapids. For the victims of June's tornadoes and floods who are still struggling to put their lives and businesses back together.
For the people who've had his back ever since junior golf.
Yes, Zach Johnson is that humble.
No matter how big a deal it was for him to push through and win for the first time in nearly 17 months, to throw out a closing 64 and come from one shot back a couple of times Sunday to take the final autumn-slated Valero Texas Open by two shots, it was, well, equally as big a deal back home.
"I'm dedicating this one to them,'' Johnson said. "They mean a lot to me.
"They they've been with me supporting me unconditionally. I'm giving this one back to them.''
And what a win to give back.
This one was about patience, perseverance and playing to your strengths. All he needed was to get his tee shot in the fairway -- pretty much a given -- and get a wedge in his hand. That done, he simply dissected the La Cantera course.
On a day when Steve Elkington and Charlie Wi threw out 61s, when Stephen Ames tossed out a 62 and there were two 28s on the back nine, all Johnson did was outshoot 'em. His closing rounds of 62-64 were the best here since Ron Streck shot 63-62 to win in San Antonio in 1978 and they gave him a two-shot victory over Wi, Mark Wilson and Tim Wilkinson.
It was his first win since May of 2007 and his second win since he moved into the ranks of the major champions in April that same year. Until this week, he'd had just one top 10 -- a T9 at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship -- all year.
"I think it was kind a Masters lag year,'' Johnson said.
No longer.
Johnson stepped up big time this week. He went back to basics after a seven-week layoff -- he wasn't eligible for the final three PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup events and didn't make the Ryder Cup -- and it worked. He came into his first Valero Texas Open with no expectations -- and the putting he'd taken for granted finally came around.
"I didn't anticipate hitting me this quick but, you know, it certainly helped,'' Johnson said. "Given that, I still see a lot of room for improvement which I guess is even more encouraging than anything else.''
Of course, it didn't hurt that every round he had wedge in his hand on eight or more holes. Or that he and caddie Damon Green were at home on these Bermuda greens.
"We had a good thing going and good reads,'' Johnson said. "(Damon) reads grains fantastic. It's helped a lot, what he sees.''
Johnson wasn't perfect early, but he settled down on the fifth hole when he had to come out of the sand from 30 yards away to 6 feet to save par. At that point, the race was on.
With Wilkinson, Wilson and Wi chasing him, Johnson broke away for good with a tap-in birdie at the 14th -- he just missed a 67-footer for eagle. He parred the next three holes before hitting his approach to five feet at 18 for the final margin.
"I won by two?'' he asked after the trophy presentation.
No, he didn't know. Green kept him posted with what he needed to know on the course, but Johnson was just playing his game. If there was a shaky moment, it was at 15 when he hit his only poor approach of the day.
"Absolutely horrible, 9-iron and still was okay,'' Johnson said. "I had a good lie and misjudged the lie I guess but it kind of jumped off my wedge and thus a poor chip shot.
"But, you know, I told myself over that putt I'm like, you know, you may be -- I play some games with myself on the putting green. Pick your line and hit a solid putt. And I hit it perfect and obviously it went in.''
Afterward, 19-month-old Will, who showed off his cross-handed swing with dad's putter when Johnson was signing his card, presented dad with a drawing. It was a page filled with long pink and orange squiggles.
"Is that Daddy's up and down at 15?'' Johnson asked.
"No,'' said wife Kim. "That's Mommy's heart racing on the back nine.''
They laughed. Will ate popcorn.
He was still in Kim's arms when Zach won the 2007 Masters. Now he's toddling around. And, no, he still has no clue that Dad won. Just where Dad works.
"Golf course,'' Will said.
Sunday, Johnson knew he was back. The par putts -- those three to five footers -- were falling. And not by accident. They were solid. Right in the hole.
Wilson had to chuckle. He and his family were flying to Las Vegas with the Johnsons Sunday night and the plane would have to wait. He didn't mind.
He'd dug himself out of a funk too, to close with that 63 and tie for second. And losing to a close friend? Well, it never feels good, but he was happy for Johnson. And, it made him think back to Tuesday, when they played a practice round with Jeff Gove and Doug Labelle.
"Anybody saw us playing that day they never thought we would finish first and second,'' Wilson said. "Tuesday is about getting a feel for the course and sort of a feel for your game and hopefully you're ready come Thursday.''
Johnson was. Coming out of an 0-for-17 months? It couldn't have felt better. Especially when he stuck his approach at the 72nd hole.
"We play to be in contention, we play to be in those certain situations and when you can execute a shot like that under the gun...'' he said. "I really didn't need to, but just to make a statement to myself that I could do it, that was big and not to be too proud but I was very proud of that one.''
So was Iowa.
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