Struggling Johnson enjoys quick start
It was supposed to rain Thursday morning. Sixty percent chance, forecasts said. Maybe even some scattered storms to throw a wrench in the John Deere Classic’s first round.
But, as they often are in the Midwest, forecasts were wrong. No rain. Just clear, blue skies. And eastern Iowa’s Zach Johnson took advantage.
Teeing off at 8 a.m. local time with fairways still soft from Wednesday’s showers, Johnson birdied his first three holes en route to a 6-under 65 at what is essentially his hometown course.
“Knowing the conditions, you felt like you had to kind of push the pedal down hard essentially at all times and remain patient,” Johnson said. “With these conditions and minimal release on the greens, minimal release in the fairway obviously, you have to be aggressive. On the patience side of things, you know if you don’t birdie a couple holes you feel like you should — there are a lot of birdies out there.”
Johnson’s 65 tied him for third, two strokes behind Charles Howell III and Ollie Schniederjans, who shot 63s and enter Friday at 8-under.
Howell, who finished second at the Quicken Loans National this month after missing nine weeks with a rib injury, worked wonders in his short game. He racked up eight birdies, despite hitting only 13 of 18 greens.
“I figured if I could jump onto (Johnson’s) coattails today and hang with him, then I’d be all right,” joked Howell, who played with Johnson on Thursday. “We couldn’t ask for a better day. Of the last few years I’ve been here, this is the best I’ve ever seen the greens. The speed of them is back up again. I mean, they were rolling like carpet this morning.”
This is an important John Deere Classic for Johnson, who has had a rough 2017. He recently missed the cut in the Travelers Championship. Before that, he tied for 27th in the U.S. Open. His best finish this year was a tie for sixth in Hawaii’s Sony Open in January. He hasn’t won a PGA Tour event since the 2015 British Open. And he has fallen to No. 74 in the world rankings.
Translation: He could use a win. And the John Deere Classic is the perfect place for that.
Johnson grew up in Cedar Rapids, a little more than an hour from TPC Deere Run. He has played here more than any other Tour event. He calls this course his “fifth major.” He won here in 2012 and boasts five more topfive finishes.
And, at least, Johnson looked comfortable Thursday. He made seven birdies and bogeyed one hole (No. 4). He hit 17 of 18 greens and thought his irons, which he has been working on, were the best part of his game.
“It’s one day,” Johnson said. “I think it can get better but could also be worse. Got to be practical about it. However, I like the work I’ve put in. I like the progress I’ve made. I like the foundation I have. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.”