Best Golfers from Each State: Iowa Golf and Zach Johnson
We have another entrant in our series, as we head to the Midwest and Iowa Golf, where we take a look at the underrated Zach Johnson.
As we take a look at Iowa golf, and the best to come from the state, we run into a situation where the leader is not only a clear and easy favorite but also an underrated golfer. Zach Johnson definitely fits both of those categories.
Born in Iowa City, Johnson stayed in-state all throughout his amateur career. It started off with a high school championship, and then he moved on to Drake University.
There shouldn’t be any doubt that Zach Johnson is the top Iowa golf product, especially when you realize how many wins he has.
More from Pro Golf Now
- Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
- Fantasy Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational DFS Player Selections
- Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
- Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
- Fantasy Golf: An Early Look at the 2024 Masters Tournament
Johnson got his first win in 2004, and then went on a bit of a dry stretch. He was able to break out of it in 2007 in the biggest way possible… by winning the 2007 Masters, over Tiger Woods no less.
Johnson birdied 13,14, and 16 to jump ahead of Woods and take home the first Major of his career. What a way to go about getting it, breaking a three-year winless stretch at the top tournament in the world over arguably the greatest golfer of all-time.
The win in 2007 would set off a nice stretch for Johnson. He would win one or two tournaments a year, each year (other than 2011), through 2015. 11 wins over a nine-year stretch are quite the accomplishment. It’s part of the reason that Johnson has gone a bit under the radar throughout his career.
It’s a bit funny that a major started off the streak, when it’s a major that ended the streak as well. At the Open Championship in 2015, Zach Johnson found himself in a tie after 72 holes with Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen. After completing a four-hole playoff, Johnson would defeat Oosthuizen by one stroke to take home his 12th PGA Tour win, and a second major victory.
Johnson parlayed his success into multiple US appearances as well. He played on the Ryder Cup team five different times, starting in 2006 and ending in 2015. He also made his way to four President’s Cup appearances.
Although he is getting up there a bit, Johnson has a favorable schedule coming up that should help him out in the final year of his five-year exemption.
dark. Next. Best Golfers from Each State: Illinois Golf and Bill Mehlhorn
With the combined success of his play over a ten-year stretch and his U.S.A. play, it’s no surprise that Zach Johnson is the best Iowa Golf product that we have seen.