‘Boring’ Johnson happy to stay in the shadows
Zach Johnson knows that he is not the most exciting player at this 147th Open Championship. He knows that he is not even the most exciting player in his own house, describing his own play as “boring”. Yet sometimes boring will do.
It sufficed for Johnson in 2015 when he beat Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a play-off at St Andrews to claim the Claret Jug and it could well do so again after he finished with a round of 67 yesterday that put him in a joint share of the lead at six under par.
To finish the job, he will need to hold off the challenge of several of his housemates. After dropping two shots at the last, first-round leader Kevin Kisner finished tied with Johnson following a round of 70. Three shots further back on three under are the dangerous pair of Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler, the rockstars of the all-american “Frat House”.
Johnson is fully aware that other pairings are likely to draw bigger galleries, even though he tees off in the final group today. He even admits that he is occasionally confused with his namesake and world No1, Dustin Johnson. “I mean, I’ve been called ‘Dustin’ many times,” Johnson said. “I doubt he’s been called ‘Zach’ that many times.”
Given that Zach has won twice as many majors as Dustin, he would have every right to feel insulted. Yet in a sport where egos can and do run rampant, Johnson has no
problem with his status or style being downplayed.
“No, I don’t relish it [being a fan favourite],” Johnson said. “I’m just so wholeheartedly used to it. There’s nothing more than that. Maybe I’m just overly conservative and boring, and that’s perfectly fine. I just like to compete. It doesn’t matter where it is, what it is. Just give me an opportunity.”
And that is just what he will have today, with all eyes likely to be on the likes of Spieth, Fowler and Rory Mcilroy. But it would be a huge mistake to let Johnson slip under the radar. His recent record at the Open is as good as they come, with six top-20 finishes in the past seven tournaments. While others possess the bigger weapons, Johnson has the calmness and consistency that links courses tend to reward.
“I think my game lends itself to this championship because my style can play here,” Johnson said. “I play the holes backwards. I take what the golf course gives me, and I try to execute. You’ve still got to hit good shots. Even though you know what you need to do, you’ve still got to hit a good shot. Is there some risk/ reward at times, or are you pushing it sometimes? Absolutely. “The reverence I have for this championship and specifically that trophy, that Claret Jug, I’m not suggesting someone doesn’t have a higher reverence for it, but I’d argue with them. “I greatly appreciate how the game was formed over here, how this championship came into fruition back in 1860. Everything about it, I’ve embraced, and I love.”
Kisner – the newest addition to the “Frat House” alongside Spieth, Johnson, Fowler, Jason Dufner, Justin Thomas and Jimmy Walker – will be his partner in the day’s final pairing. At stake is not just the potential destiny of the Claret Jug, but a private jet ride.
Golfing bets between housemates usually range anywhere from doing the dishes to a few sheets if they are feeling lively. Yet in the nearby Angus abode containing five major winners, the stakes are slightly higher after an agreement was hatched two years ago that the Open champion would have to charter a flight home. Spieth had to do the honours last year after his triumph at Royal Birkdale and Johnson says he would be prepared to dip into his pocket tomorrow. “I’d be happy to fork that over.”