Zach Johnson wins fifth PGA Tour Champions title in rookie season
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Iowa's own Zach Johnson added another trophy to an already historic rookie season on the PGA Tour Champions, birdieing his final two holes Sunday to win the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The victory is Johnson's fifth of the season, matching Stewart Cink for the most wins on the senior circuit this year. It also tightens the race for the Charles Schwab Cup, with Johnson cutting into Cink's lead after another clutch performance.
Birdie-birdie finish seals the deal
Johnson, a Cedar Rapids native and Drake University alum, walked to the 18th tee knowing exactly what he needed. He delivered.
“I need two good ones and a birdie,” Johnson said he told himself. “The last two holes were quality. Seventeen was a hard hole, so escaping with a two there was big.”
He finished with back-to-back birdies, including a putt on 18 that he knew was good halfway to the hole. The fist pump came early, and the crowd in Sioux Falls roared as the ball dropped.
Emotional win over a close friend
The win was especially meaningful because Johnson battled his longtime friend Ben Crane down the stretch. Crane pushed him to the final hole, and the two shared an emotional moment after the putt dropped.
“I just played against one of my best friends, it felt like,” Johnson said. “He made me earn it. I don't even love him, I adore him. Ben and I have been doing life together forever, whether on the golf course, with families, kids, reading the good word. I wanted Bo to win, I really did. But he's the first person to hug me. That says everything about Ben.”
A big crowd in Sioux Falls
Johnson credited the atmosphere at the Sanford International, noting that fans came from across the region to watch.
“This literally felt like a big tour event,” he said. “Sioux Falls came out. I would imagine South Dakotans, maybe northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota came out. It was impressive. There were so many people out here. I'm honored and humbled to be their champion.”
What this means for the Schwab Cup race
With five wins in his first season on the PGA Tour Champions, Johnson has established himself as one of the top players on the circuit. The win at Sanford International narrows the gap between him and Cink in the season-long Schwab Cup standings, setting up a compelling finish to the year.
For Iowa golf fans, Johnson's continued success is a source of pride. The 2007 Masters champion has represented the state with class and competitiveness throughout his career, and his rookie campaign on the senior tour has been nothing short of dominant.
Johnson's next start will be closely watched as he looks to add a sixth win and chase down the Schwab Cup title.