Zachary Harris Johnson, an American professional golfer born in 1976, has secured 12 victories on the PGA Tour throughout his career. His major championship wins include the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open Championship. Beyond his playing achievements, he served as the captain of the United States squad during the 2023 Ryder Cup held in Rome, Italy.
Formative Years in Iowa
Born in Iowa City as the eldest of three children to Dave and Julie Johnson, he spent his youth in Cedar Rapids. While participating in baseball, basketball, football, and soccer, he began playing golf at age 10 at the Elmcrest Country Club. During his tenure at Regis High School, he functioned as the number-two player and contributed to an Iowa 3A state championship victory in 1992. He continued his athletic progression at Drake University in Des Moines following his 1994 high school graduation.
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Transitioning to the professional ranks in 1998, Johnson competed on various developmental circuits, including the Prairie Golf Tour and the Hooters Tour, where he claimed three regular-season event wins in 2001. His performance on the Nationwide Tour during 2003, featuring record earnings of $494,882, facilitated his entry to the PGA Tour. He achieved his initial PGA Tour victory at the 2004 BellSouth Classic, defeating runner-up Mark Hensby.
Major Championship Success
In April 2007, he won the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, finishing two strokes ahead of Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen, and Rory Sabbatini. His winning score of 289 equaled records set by Sam Snead and Jack Burke Jr. This performance moved his world ranking from 56th to 15th. Later, his professional consistency led to his role as captain for the U.S. team at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Fast facts
- Born: 1976, Iowa City
- PGA Tour victories: 12
- Major championships: 2
- High school: Regis High School
- University: Drake University
- 2023 Ryder Cup role: U.S. Captain
Questions readers ask
Which major championships has Zach Johnson won?
He won the 2007 Masters Tournament and the 2015 Open Championship.
Did Zach Johnson attend college?
Yes, he attended Drake University in Des Moines.
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