Zach On Kapalua Win: ''I just picked it apart''
/Zach Johnson remains a tempting 40-1 (for now) to win the Masters even after yet another methodical, impressive win, this time in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. As Doug Ferguson wrote, "Zach Johnson started the new year the same way he ended the last one."
And while it lacked the epic hole-out that his World Challenge win included, Johnson's confidence came through in the Ferguson story:
''I just picked it apart,'' said Johnson, who finished at 19-under 273. ''I didn't deviate from anything I typically do on a golf course.''
Alex Miceli with five things from Monday's exciting finish, including these Johnson stats:
Johnson hit 83.3 percent of his fairways, good for third in the field; 77.8 percent of his greens in regulation (17th); ranked 17th in strokes gained putting; averaged 267.1 yards in driving distance (23rd); and ranked third in proximity to the hole.
The bogey-free round featured seven birdies, including three straight from Nos. 14-16 that propelled Johnson to the win.
Alan Shipnuck talked to caddie Damon Green, who was pretty graphic in his assessment.
But his greatest attributes are anatomical. "I'd like to say he has something other than heart," says Johnson's caddie Damon Green. "He's got the biggest pair out here. Him and Tiger, I think. He's not afraid of being in the lead, he thrives on it. A lot of guys don't like being in the lead, they can't stomach it. But he's got a cast-iron stomach. Man, he's solid."
Jason Sobel says that Jordan Spieth, who made a valiant run and put on a super pre-and-post shot audio show with help from NBC's sound crew, took the loss in stride.
“I felt really comfortable, and there were a couple shots I needed to work on for next week, but ultimately it's a cool experience. I'll learn from the mistakes. But honestly, I was very happy with how patient I was. Mentally I felt like it was one of the best rounds I've ever played – to be in that position, a new position, and to really not make any mental mistakes.”
John Strege talked to Spieth's coach, Cameron McCormick about Spieth's continued development.
"Jordan's never really gotten that far off track," said McCormick, an Australian native. "One of the markers I look for is how good a player is, how stable his performances are over time. His entire junior career, he very rarely finished out of the top five or 10 in AJGA invitationals. To me that's a huge marker. He went to college and did the same thing."
It is a function, McCormick said, of Spieth's mental strength and a repetitive swing, despite its "idiosyncrasies that give the Johnny Millers of the world something to pick at and criticize. We've allowed him to develop these patterns with heavy priority with what the ball's telling us in terms of function versus some architectural or appearance we want to fit into it. We've let his fingerprint be his fingerprint."
