Masters week Q&A with Zach Johnson

Zach Johnson stunned the golf world with his thrilling victory over Tiger Woods at the 2007 Masters. Johnson stood strong in the face of brutal conditions and the intimidating presence of the game’s No. 1 player, shooting a marvelous final-round 69 to hold off Woods, Retief Goosen and Rory Sabbatini by two shots. It was a breakthrough moment for one of golf’s most talented yet humble and unassuming players.

Johnson was born in Iowa City, Iowa and raised in nearby Cedar Rapids. He sowed his golfing oats at Elmcrest Country Club and played college golf at nearby Drake University. Johnson turned professional in 1998 and started out playing the mini-tour circuits. In 2001, he won the final three regular-season tournaments on the NGA Hooters Tour, registering his first blip on the professional radar screen.

Two years later, Johnson led the money list on the Nationwide Tour, garnering PGA Tour status with a then-record total of $494,882 in earnings. Johnson won his first PGA Tour event in 2004, capturing the BellSouth Classic. In 2006, he qualified for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, finishing ninth on the Ryder Cup points list.

Johnson distinguished himself with a solid performance at The K Club in Ireland but ultimately finished with a 1-2-1 mark as the U.S. team suffered another lopsided defeat at the hands of the Europeans.

Then came his breakthrough 2007 season. On the strength of his Masters win, along with another win at the AT&T Classic a few weeks later, Johnson finished eighth on the money list with nearly $ million in earnings. He was also a key contributor on the victorious U.S. Presidents Cup team. The hard-working Johnson, who turned 32 in February, has established himself as a player to watch for the foreseeable future.

Zach and his wife, Kim, welcomed baby Will into their family in January 2007.

Each month, we'll hear more from Zach about the game of golf, life on Tour and other topics.

1. What gave you your confidence to overcome the extreme pressure at the 2007 Masters?
I worked very hard at trying to "stay in the moment" and focused on one shot at a time. I felt very calm all day and was ready to accept whatever result happened. This attitude helped diffuse the pressure of the situation.

2. How has the press coverage and exposure from your 2007 Masters win changed your life?
Well, more people know who I am, that's for sure. The press coverage and all of the exposure has been fantastic. The media from around the world have treated me extremely well and the associated coverage has been very well done in my opinion. I regret that because of the increased demands upon my time that I cannot fulfill all of the requests, but I do my best.

3. How important was it to follow up your Masters win with a win at the AT&T Classic?
Winning the AT&T Classic weeks after the Masters was great. It kept my momentum going strong. It also furthered my confidence in handling pressure situations, having to win this event in a playoff. But by no means did I feel a need to validate my Masters win though. The win at Augusta speaks for itself I hope.

4. You've given a lot of credit to your mental coach, Morris Pickens. How has he changed your approach to the game?
Dr. Mo has been a key member of my team and he has played a big role in the success I experienced last year. He has helped me in many areas, but a primary focus of ours is developing strong routines that I employ on practice days and competitive rounds. We have worked very hard on being efficient with my time, creating an environment where I can excel and do my best.

5. It has often been said that you have improved your game every season throughout your career, from high school on. What has contributed to your continued growth as a golfer?
Probably my desire. I have a tremendous amount of determination to be the best player I can be. I love to work hard and to push myself to see what I can accomplish. Over the years I have also assembled a very strong team of coaches, instructors, agents and the like, all of whom lend different skills and perspectives to my career. By putting the right people in place and trusting them, great things have happened for me.

6. How do you and your family recharge during the off-season?
Since having our first child, Will last year, everything revolves around him. He is the center of our lives and any day spent with Will is just the best. In the off-season, we spend a great deal of time visiting family, taking a ski vacation or two or simply just hanging around the house doing what families do.

7. What's your favorite practice drill?
I have a variety of drills that I have developed with my instructor, Mike Bender that we use regularly. I don't have a favorite drill per se, but rather we use drills to address areas of my game that we are working on week to week. I like the drills to have a competitive nature to them, where I can play some kind of game to keep my thinking competitively.

8. What goals have you outlined for 2008?
I do have goals, but I like to keep these goals to myself and within my team. I have always approached it in this manner. With that being said, my Number One goal is always to simply IMPROVE.

9. What tournament are you looking forward to the most in 2008?
The Masters of course! To come back as the defending champion and a member of the exclusive Champion's Club is going to be a thrill. I am really looking forward to hosting the Champion's Dinner on Tuesday night. It is going to be great fun to sit and listen to the stories from my idols like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer to name just a few.

10. How do you feel about your chances of being on the Ryder Cup team this year?
I am very excited about the Ryder Cup this year, and the fact it is being played on American soil. At present, I am in good shape with regard to the standings. But there is a lot of golf left to be played before the team is settled, and with the new selection criteria, things can change quickly. I have to play well in order to make the team, and it will certainly be a focus of mine.

11. Has the birth of your son changed how you look at your career?
Will's birth has lent some perspective. Whether I shoot 68 or 78, Will is always there waiting for me to finish. And he is ALWAYS happy to see his Daddy. Golf has never been the most important thing in my life, and having Will has definitely kept that perspective intact.

12. What golfer did you try to emulate growing up?
I am not sure I ever tried to emulate a particular golfer while I was growing up. I love the mechanics of Ben Hogan and always had a deep respect for Payne Stewart.

13. In your opinion, who is the greatest golfer in history?
Well by record alone, I would say at present...Jack Nicklaus.But I think as time goes on that Tiger Woods will become the best that ever played. It is astonishing to think of everything that Tiger has accomplished thus far, and he is still only 32 years old. He is on pace to re-write the record books by the time he is finished.

14. What do you consider to be golf's most significant technological advancement in recent years?
I would say the number one advancement has to be the golf ball. The ball goes farther and straighter than ever before, and for the typical weekend golfer, this has made the game easier and more enjoyable. I also think the increased size of the drivers, which allows for more consistent strikes to the sweet spot has also been a huge advance. Lastly, perhaps not as publicized but maybe equally important is the improvements made upon the equipment that maintains golf courses. These new machines are able to maintain greens that roll true and fast like never before.

15. What's your favorite sport to watch or play other than golf?
Either college football or basketball. Specifically, Iowa Hawkeye football and Drake or Iowa basketball!

16. If you weren't playing golf, what would you be doing?
That is a question I prefer not to think about! Probably a ski bum/instructor in the Rocky Mountains.

17. You and your family travel to tournaments across the country in an RV. What's your favorite part of the US to drive through?
We love the entire experience of traveling in our bus. Every place is different and unique in it's own way.

18. Could you describe your Birdies That Care charity?
Birdies that Care is something near and dear to Kim and I. We started this program in conjunction with Aegon/Transamerica 3 1⁄2 years ago. The focus of the program is to help children's charities in and around Cedar Rapids, Iowa which is my hometown. For each birdie I make on tour, we contribute $50. For each eagle, our contribution is $100. Aegon/Transamerica matches this donation as well. But what is unique is that the community can make donations in any amount they like. And they do!The community support for BTC has been absolutely incredible. Each year the program gets better and better.I think we are steadily approaching a contribution total of $500,000. This year's recipient is the Boys and Girls Club of Cedar Rapids. You can find them on the Net and make a contribution!