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Johnson Wins First Masters
Topic Started: Sunday Apr 8 2007, 06:44 PM (157 Views)
Cougar
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Well this was a surprise :blink:

http://www.tsn.ca/golf/news_story/?ID=203360&hubname=

Quote:
 
Johnson grabs first major at the Masters


Canadian Press

4/8/2007 7:25:11 PM

AUGUSTA, Ga. (CP) - All Augusta National really needed was a back nine battle and an unlikely champion.

The Cathedral of Golf came alive Sunday afternoon as Zach Johnson held off a late charge from Tiger Woods to claim his first major championship at the Masters.

''This is surreal - very, very surreal,'' he said in the Butler Cabin before getting his green jacket. ''I dreamt about it for so many years, but I didn't think it would be this year.''

The 31-year-old was full marks for his victory.


Woods got the gallery roaring with an eagle at the par-5 13th to move within two strokes of Johnson. The former Nationwide Tour player calmly responded, rolling in a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to solidify his lead.



Johnson then bogeyed No. 17 before getting up-and-down for par at No. 18 to complete a 2-under 70 - equalling his best score ever here.

''That's a phenomenal round under the circumstances,'' said Rory Sabbatini, who shot a 69 and tied for second. ''That's just great golfing.''

After putting out and embracing his wife Kim and kissing his baby son Will, Johnson had to sit and wait to see if Woods or Justin Rose could catch him.

It was not to be.

Rose sent his tee shot at No. 17 well right into the trees and made a double bogey while Woods missed a 12-foot birdie putt at No. 16 and found a bunker on the next hole, where he needed a birdie.

Johnson's winning score of 1-over 289 equalled the highest ever by a champion of this tournament. Jack Burke in 1956 and Sam Snead in 1954 had previously done it.

He was two shots better than Retief Goosen (69), Sabbatini (69) and Woods (72), who finished second in a major for the third time in his career.

''This golf course was playing very difficult,'' said Woods. ''You just had to keep plodding along and give yourself a chance at birdies. They were very hard to come by.''

Johnson also became the first player ever to win a major in which Woods held the lead. The greatest closer in golf had been 12-for-12 before Sunday. Woods was briefly atop the leaderboard early in the fourth round but spent the rest of the day chasing others.

All of the discussion about a muted Augusta National became mute against the setting sun on the final afternoon. Five different players held the lead until Johnson grabbed it for good and the fans had plenty to get excited about.

The Iowan had the look of a player who wanted it all day. He pumped his fist repeatedly after rolling in clutch putts and showed determination while others around him folded.

It was just his third Masters appearance and second PGA Tour victory, but there were few signs of inexperience. Johnson found a way to hold off the world's No. 1 player on the grandest stage in golf.

''Everyone says that the first time you're in contention in a major, nerves come into it,'' said Sabbatini. ''I think as long as you focus on what you're doing and you don't think ahead, you're going to be fine.

''Zach's just proof of that.''

Notes: Defending champion Phil Mickelson shot a 77 and tied for 24th . Actor Will Ferrell took a tour of the media centre on Sunday morning. He later joined the large gallery following Woods and Appleby . The fourth round scoring average of 74.33 was the lowest all week.
 



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PSUSyr5
The Board Idiot

Wow...yeah...I heard so many things about the course this year...from what I understand, the set up wasn't so bad, it was the playing conditions...the cold kept the ground harder than usual, and the wind added another element.

I guess that's how you beat Tiger, wait for terrible conditions. :lol:
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Cougar
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Tiger was far back too, and he almost came back and won it.

Really though, throughout the rounds, it was no name dudes leading cause all the usual big names were struggling because of the coarse/weather.
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