Johnson happy predictions were off
Having written off his chances of winning the Open at the start of the year, Zach Johnson was only too happy to prove himself wrong.
The 39-year-old, who claimed his second major title in a play-off at St Andrews on Monday, gave a press conference at the start of the year and was asked to name the tournaments he was most looking forward to in 2015.
He immediately thought of the year’s four majors but wrote off his chances of winning the Open.
“The British? No, no,” he said at the time. “That’s my least favourite in the rotation. I say that and I love that tournament and I still like St Andrews. That’s how much I love that tournament. I think St Andrews is terrific and it’s my least favourite.
“I feel like it’s one where you’ve just got to hit it left and you’ve got to hit it 290 in the air and it just doesn’t favour me. I say that and I’m telling you right now it’s my favourite tournament to play in and I like St. Andrews. It’s just not my favourite of the other ones I’ve played.
“They’re all so good. I mean Muirfield is phenomenal. My first was Troon and I thought that was terrific. Turnberry is great. Lytham is tremendous. Carnoustie is brutally hard, but it’s great. That’s my rationale there.”
Next up is the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, and Johnson didn’t rate his chances of winning there either.
Given what he said about St Andrews, it may be wise to ignore his thoughts on the venue from that very same press conference.
“I don’t like Whistling Straits. I lost by a shot there and I don’t like it,” said Johnson, who finished a shot out of the play-off between Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson in the 2010 US PGA.
“I mean I played for four days the best four days of ball striking I’ve ever had consecutively. Didn’t really like it, and I still don’t like it.
“You’ve got to hit it good, you’ve got to putt it good obviously. I think it separates the field in that regard. To me it wants to be a links, but it’s the furthest thing from it because it’s all aerial. There’s no run-ups. You’ve got to carry it here to carry it there, that kind of thing.
“Is it beautiful? Stunning. You feel like you’re playing on the ocean. It’s just contrived. That’s why I don’t like it.”
Latest
-
NewsTiger Woods withdraws from Hero World Challenge due to foot problem
The former world number one has not played since the Open Championship in July.
-
NewsTiger Woods to partner son Charlie in next month’s PNC Championship
Woods has not played since the Open Championship in July.
-
The MajorsI want to fulfil my dreams – Adam Scott in no mood to lower expectations
Scott is seeking a third Australian PGA Championship title this week in his native Queensland.
-
Ryder CupNicolas Colsaerts named a vice-captain for Europe’s Ryder Cup team
The Belgian joins Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari on Luke Donald’s staff.
-
NewsIreland’s Ancient East: Golf attractions alongside stunning beauty of Kildare
Ireland has a rich mix of tourist attractions across its varied and beautiful terrain.
-
European TourRory McIlroy crowned top golfer in Europe despite Jon Rahm claiming Dubai title
The Spaniard’s two-shot victory over England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden’s Alex Noren was his third in six years at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
-
LPGA TourLeona Maguire shoots day’s best to tie Lydia Ko in chasing LPGA’s largest prize
Maguire is chasing her second title while Ko is close to claiming her second straight LPGA Tour player of the year.
-
European TourRory McIlroy edges ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in race to be European number one
McIlroy’s third round of 65 at the DP World Tour Championship put him back ahead of his rival in the rankings.
-
LPGA TourLydia Ko firms lead for biggest prize in women’s golf history at LPGA finale
The 25-year-old turned a one-shot lead into a five-shot edge as she chased down the two-million-dollar (£1.6million) prize.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick leading race to become European number one
Rory McIlroy gave the Yorkshireman something to think about with a late blitz.