Despite being a 47-year-old PGA Tour veteran, Zach Johnson looked like one of the best players in the world on Thursday at the American Express.
The former Ryder Cup captain signed with a 10-under 62 at La Quinta Country Club and held a share of the lead with Sweden's Alex Noren at the end of the first day.
“I got off to a good start and got some momentum. I hit a lot of shots down the middle of the clubface,” Johnson said of the first round.
“When I had loft, I was able to be aggressive, which is always important. Obviously, I putted well…I found my line here and found my You have to hit on the line, and this is where you can get it going if you have some rhythm, momentum, and decent form. [PGA West] One of my favorite stops. It's only one day, but [but] There's still a lot of golf left. ”
In fact, Johnson got off to a strong start with a 7-under 29 for the top side. He birdied every hole except the second and third.
After that, he made three birdies and did not drop a single stroke.
“My process has been great with my caddy. I try to hit it as far down the middle of the fairway as possible, and it worked. [I have to] Stay in the moment,” he added.
Johnson has two rounds left before Saturday's 54-hole cut. One round will be played at the Pete Dye Stadium Course and the other round at the Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Players will play those two courses and La Quinta's three courses before Sunday's final round, which will be held at PGA West's Stadium Course.
“[PGA West] “This is definitely one of the purest places we play on the PGA Tour year-round,” Johnson added. “That grass–it almost looks fake.”
Interestingly, Johnson admires this venue so much that he would like to be a member.
“I love this place, the membership here, the club is great. I told my assistant pro today that if I break 76 I should get a free membership,” Johnson said jokingly.
“From a condition standpoint, this is definitely one of the best facilities I've ever stepped foot in, and I know my colleagues and I'm sure they'll say the same thing. I'm confident. It's not big or intimidating from a distance standpoint, but you have to shape the ball.”
Johnson held an 18-hole lead and did more than enough to end the negotiation. But he hasn't won since the 2015 British Open at St. Andrews. There he defeated Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a thrilling playoff.
Perhaps if Johnson ends his nine-year win drought, the club will welcome him as a member with open arms.
That would be a good story, wouldn't it? At least it's a lot better than Marco Simone's story about the American team.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
