20 questions: Zach Johnson

The 2007 Masters champion recaps his career and golfing favourites.

1 When did you first shoot par? My sophomore year in High School. I shot 68 and won the conference tournament at Vinton Country Club in Iowa.

2 What has been your career highlight? Winning at Augusta in 2007 or The Open in 2015, those two events personally stand out for me as the big moments.

3 The best shot of your career? My second shot at the par-5 16th in the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club. Playing with Chad Campbell we were two-down, but I hit a perfect 3-wood to clinch the hole and we secured a big half!

4 Your favourite course in the world? Shinnecock Hills stands out along with Colonial. I like Firestone Country Club a lot, too, a classic tree-lined track.

5 Favourite course in the UK? Muirfield stands out because it’s so pure though you could say that about any Open Championship course. However, I’m not a big fan of Royal St George’s.

6 Favourite individual hole? I’ll go with 12 at Augusta. It gives meaning to the saying that it doesn’t need to be long to be really, really good.

7 Favourite club in the bag? My new PXG driver, but I like all my clubs.

8 Best TV show? I’m all about Big Ten Live right now, and anything involving college football.

9 Favourite movie? With my daughter it would be “Frozen” and with my sons it would be “The Sandlot”. Anything animated would be up there.

10 The one mulligan you could have? At the 2010 PGA Championship I missed a three-footer on the 1st hole and putted so badly that week, even though I only lost by one shot overall. 11 Best view in golf? I’m going to say the seven-10 stretch of holes at Pebble Beach.

12 Favourite sports team? Iowa football and Drake basketball are my things… I grew up following them and still love them today.

13 Favourite sportsman? Kurt Warner (American Football) who went to my High School. The way he handles himself on and off the field is exemplary.

14

Favourite sportswoman? I’ve got to stick to my Iowa roots here and I’ll go with either athlete Lolo Jones or Shawn Johnson, the gymnast.

15 Any superstitions? None, zero, though I do use a ball marker that my wife made me.

16 Where do you go for holidays? Anywhere in the mountains during the summer – or winter – is a great spot.

17 Your dream foursome? It’s a pretty steady decision here. It would be Ben Hogan, Payne Stewart and my dad.

18 Your best foursome on tour? Stewart Cink, Davis Love, Jimmy Walker.

19 Best mate on tour? Too hard to choose just one.

20 Any rule you’d change in golf? That the PGA Tour has to abide by USGA rules.

‘It gives meaning to the saying that it doesn’t need to be long to be really, really good’