Your Thoughts: Zach Johnson Wins The Open Championship

The last Open at the Old Course was a runaway, this was a thriller won by one of the shortest hitters in the world and now, a likely Hall of Famer with his second major win.

Zach Johnson has won The Open Championship at St. Andrews. Paul Newberry's AP report.

Your immediate thoughts, reactions, takeaways, dashed Grand Slam hopes and highlights from another memorable week in St. Andrews.

My kneejerk take: the Old Course was regularly overpowered during the week and, due to the combination of softness and so little difference in the precision of today's players, wasn't able to separate the field quite as well as we'd hope. However, to see a tactician win over the Old Course defending champion in Louis Oosthuizen and red-hot power player in Marc Leishman (along with the world's elite in Spieth, Day, Rose, Scott, etc...) only reinforces the purity of the place.

And we still need a distance rollback at the professional level.

Comments

[nancy]

I'm amazed by Zach's emotional press conference. One thing is I know that he is a man of faith and I think it really hits him in a different way. With that said, whatever gets him to the finish line; it's a good thing. Congrats to Zach Johnson. What a great OPEN...for ALL!

[rgw]

A Hall of Famer?

You've either been out in the rain too long or you spent all afternoon in a pub.

[Chicago John]

Not the biggest ZJ fan, but hard to argue with the excitement we witnessed today. When Spieth rolled that putt in on 16 our lunch room at work went crazy. I can only imagine all of you had similar experiences. 17 was just impossible when they played it and the only way to make par was to hit an exceptional 2nd shot or hit a great short wedge as your 3rd.

To see Spieth almost roll that one in from the Valley of Sin was truly remarkable. And with Day just missing his putt, those two were both devastated. You could see it in Day's face, he almost broke down. I hope he can get one soon. As for Spieth: Hard to see him slowing down, he is just in his own world right now.

[GW]

Maybe next year Zach will "get it" and play the Scottish the week before to give himself a better chance at the jug.

[Ivan Morris]

Never saw THAT Johnson as the winner. The Gods of Golf work in mysterious ways although having a hot putter does help a lot.

[Monkeyface]

A worthy champion. Zach's been a steady and solid player for a long time now.

[nancy]

@Ivan...Actually, I kinda of had Zach challenging DJ. Even though everyone said DJ is a bomber on a links course and Zach not being a bomber but focusing on putts and more precise strategy.

[fyg]

Congrats to Zach, but two majors and 15 regular wins should not be enough to get into the HOF.

[Kreskin]

Soon to come.
One shot would have gotten Jordan in to a playoff. Being there early would easily be worth one shot.
Did you hear Jordan ask if there was no bunker there..on his tee shot on 16? Clearly didn't know the course well enough.
Zach was at Deere too, but has played St Andrews before so that doesn't count.

Or we can go with the shock announcement that Jordan doing the right thing, WAS the right thing!!

In the '95 Open, I hit wedges on 1,4, 5(reached in 2 twice), 6, 7,9,10,12,14 and 18.
Hit tee shots near or on the green on 9,10,12,18 at least once. I was about middle of pack.
Of course, I was smart enough to go a week early to lock up my top 70 finish!!

[Monkeyface]

Under the Fred Couples precedent, Z. Johnson is a hall of famer.

[Matt Evans]

Or the Mark O'Meara precedent.

[Linksman]

I guess the John Deere is good prep after all!

[Moonface]

It is often forgotten that the bomber's paradise plays into the hands of the wedge wizard when the wind blows. We saw it at Augusta in '07 and again today. Very well played, Mr Johnson!

[T Money]

I am a Zach Johnson fan. There I said it. Comes across as a regular guy and smart.

[EM]

Can't say I'm a huge ZJ fan, either, but he earned it.

What an effort by Spieth. Amazing to bounce back from that double. Always felt like he would have to birdie 18 and he seemed to just kind of slump after the missed putt on 17. He usually gets fired up after a mistake but his two full shots on 18 were not good. He seemed drained at that point.

A great final round.

[RM]

Not necessarily a big fan of Zach, but I have always given him credit as "a winner". When he gets in contention he is tough to beat. Compare him to a lot of top players who rarely win, Kuchar for an easy example, but there are many others. But I must admit that I am personally disappointed in the result, as an epic Open at The Old Course did not give us an epic result.

[nancy]

I'm looking forward to Geoff's recap of the Open and then all the comments. Should be interesting reading of all comments and "predictions"...it continues.........!!!

[hammerwielder]

Nobody--and I mean nobody--had Zach winning this thing today. Played the last 22 holes in 8 under. Then finished the playoff in red figures. Birdied 18 all four rounds. Bogeyed 17 four times, including in the playoff. Will go down as one of the great final round comebacks. With so many players within 3 going into the final round, it was bound to be shootout. But despite having won a Masters, Zach wasn't even in the conversation. Also, to have to wait that long before the playoff and still win without the momentum was very impressive.

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

Imagine if he was Canadian - the endorsement money could be huge! (Using the recently retired Mike Weir as the benchmark)

But, he's only American - so nothing more than his Transamerica deal. Too bad.

(Also, he's seems a bit too Christian in an increasingly God-less liberal dope-smoking society to get much in the way of endorsements anyway - Canada included)

[Ted B. (Charging Rhino)]

Once Monday's regular round of competition was over, the Open Championship suddenly went from absolutely-compelling to I-Just-Don't-Care boring. I wandered-off and made myself a late-lunch. " **Yawn**, I've been watching TV since 6am."

For some reason, I just don't find Z. Johnson or Oosthuizen very interesting.

[nancy]

@hammerwielder...sorry, I did imagine Zach, the other Johnson, challenging DJ. For me, it was not about the wind, the course, etc., there was something about Zach J being quiet and focused...not hype around Zach; he just played his game.

[Streaky Putter]

Has won in all the windiest places/

[T Money]

Don't get the 'not necessarily a fan of Z Johnson'. To each their own for sure, but why not? Is it the Christian thing? the fact that he's balding? HIs strong grip? Do tell.

[3foot1]

The list of guys who have won a Masters and an Open is like a roll call of Hall of Famers. But the whole HOF thing in EVERY sport is just plain silly, with the possible exception of women's golf where it's a clear set of criteria.

[V60]

Regularly overpowered? Was it? seems like the front 9 is. perhaps the wind has a little to with that. I really cannot see how a course so dependant on weather can make any kind of argument against the long ball and what is it defending against? A lower score? a pitch and putt? A boring golf tournament? Not giving the trophy to the best player of the week? Really this course cannot be a judge of anything related to equipment, its too quirky at times, too much wind or not enough, Is the valley a sin a good defense against the longer hitters? seem so go ask adam scott. Would it matter if the 18th was 60 yards longer. Heck no, still a tricky second shot. Oh and hey Geoff did you hear the little ditty from Tirico about the dude in 1898 or some crazy year about hitting it onto the steps of the RA clubhouse or the one where Jack hit it over the green on 18, with their DRIVES! You talk about distance yet somehow miss these events that happened at the home of golf. Your distance argument falls on short hitter Zach Johnsons ears holding the trophy. He did not overpower anything, he played very very well. and so did 10 other players and thankfully a course like this can bring many different styles of play into contention. If it was so dire like you seem to think it is, why did not a Dustin Johnson lap the field? And really do I care if they only have to hit 6 iron off the first tee, or hit many wedges into greens, NO. Because that wedge shot falls into the valley of sin for a little fun. Its still a great test of the game regardless. Better than a long slug fest like a firestone. Chalk that up to the great architecture, designed by who again? I forgot her name. LOL. And it seems by focusing on the distance issue you are so displeased that you miss the rest of the match. The course played very exciting, even with 340 yards drives, alot of birdies, but good grief they are the best players in the world so what do you expect.

[ForeRight!]

I didn't hear anyone give ZJ a credible mention as a dark horse. Much was made of his Master's win strategy - playing the par5's as 3 shot holes. I am curious to hear if he had a similar strategy.

Can't help but think of Cink and Watson. Great storylines and Cink wins in a trainwreck of a playoff. Zach deserves this as much as Cink. Hope he gets all the credit.

Really humble guy. I'm glad to see so many people of high character in the game. Well played.

[Sun Mountain Man]

I don't ever recall watching an Open Championship where so few players hit it into a fairway bunker....in fact does anyone recall seeing any of the players in the lead groups hit into a fairway bunker...?

[nancy]

@V60 ... I need a 'proper' cup of tea to read your post...and then maybe a shot of Tequila! :) It could be a good thing?

[dsl]

An Open that was decidedly un-Zach Johnson finishes in the most Zach Johnson way possible. Meh

[Carl Peterson]

@SMM, Garcia hit one into a fairway bunker on #12 today

[TLB]

Well, it was the perfect storm for me. Had Marc, Zach and Louie on my Fantasy Golf team (also Goosen, Woodland, and Horschel) for a big weekly win (based on total money won by all players). Was rooting for the under dog, Leisheman to win for sentimental reasons. But still a great fourth round wind up.

[Chicago John]

@T Money Re: Not a big fan

I enjoy really good golf swings and while no one can argue his game management and "playing his game", overall he's pretty low down the list of people I like watching to hit the ball.

While he seems like a nice guy the final straw for me was watching him at the BMW in Chicago 2 years ago on a par 3. Johnson hit his shot on the green and I'm standing less than 10 ft from him and his caddie. His playing partner Roberto Castro was talking with his caddie about club selection and wind direction and Johnson (from out of no where) looks at his caddie and visibly (visible enough that Castro could have seen him if he wanted to) makes a gesture with his finger to speed it up. I thought to myself: Zach Johnson is telling someone to speed up? As in the same Zach Johnson I see talk in depth with his caddie before every shot, with lots of back offs included? He won that week, but I walked away with a sour taste in my mouth. It was as rude of a gesture to a playing partner as I've seen. I'm sure there was something I'm missing in their relationship, but still it was bad sportsmanship.

[3foot1]

Proust, Joyce, Faulkner, and now V60: bringing stream of consciousness to the masses…

[Greg V]

With apologies to Bob Jones and his eponymous golf hole, it might be time for a new loop out there. Instead of 8, 9 and 10, skip over to the New Course for three tougher holes to provide a more "modern" test.

Or not.

Whatever, I love the place. And the pushover Tom Morris home hole played just tough enough to deny Jordan his needed birdie.

[Greg B.]

I imagine if Jordan Speith solves his short putting woes (or perhaps "hole proximity" woes) then it will be game over for most everyone else. Throw out the 4-putt (make it a 3-putt) and just some of the other 3-putts, and it is not even close. Congrats to Zach - he played the best overall.

[nancy]

The media always stirs the pot pre event...so many times the media are downright clueless. it's up to fans to really churn the soup and get the talk going as the event is happening and ongoing ...and then the results to discuss on blogs like Goeff's here. Nice :)

[Pat]

Ok, I'll say it. I can't think of someone I'd wanted to win less than ZJ. With his phony bending over while walking to the scoring tent, overcome with emotion (with plenty of people behind him), to his staring at his caddie while he was trying to high five him, the guy is a DB. I didn't watch the closing ceremony but I'm sure he probably quoted the New Testament.

On the other hand, I thought the beauty of the old course and the wonderful spirit of St Andrews came through loud and clear.

[Geoff]

LA Man,
I never said Jordan couldn't win with the Deere strategy, I said he greatly increased his chances of winning getting here on a more relaxed timetable and using his intellect and instinct to get to know the course better.

Zach has played two previous Opens here, Jordan had played one round and it wasn't even from many of the temporary tees they use.

[Stiggy]

By the Way.

Leishman now has 7 missed cuts, 3 top 10's and a 12th place in his 17 majors.

[Claude]

I always thought Zach had a touch of cool about him. Maybe it's the shades? The face? He might just well be forgettable as any of them, but I always see him coming.

He's 39 now, with 12 wins, but judging by his season I don't think he's anywhere near done yet.