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LA QUINTA, Calif. — In situations of unpredictability, experience often prevails. On the PGA Tour, few own the experience of Zach Johnson.
Appearing in his 13th career American Express this week, the soon-to-be 47-year-old Johnson followed up an opening round 67 at the Pete Dye Stadium Course with a 4-under 68 amid testy conditions at La Quinta Country Club on Friday. The 9 under cumulative tally has the 12-time Tour winner in a tie for 21st heading into weekend play.
With mercurial winds keeping scoring at bay on Friday, Johnson’s veteran guile led to five birdies paired with a lone bogey. In stark contrast to the 10-under 62 authored by American Express leader Davis Thompson on Thursday, the best second round tally at La Quinta was a 65 shot by Englishman Harry Hall.
“It’s very obvious if you’re playing,” said Johnson of the wind. “Yesterday (at PGA West) we had, for the most part, a max half-a-club wind. And this course is more protected; yesterday, there was no wind here. Today, there was significant wind, and gusty and going in different directions.”
With five career top-20 finishes at the American Express, Johnson did acknowledge some degree of veteran savvy when it comes to assessing course conditions.
“There’s some truth to that. It just means I’m an old veteran; I don’t know about ‘wily,’ but a veteran,” smiled Johnson. “But I enjoy this tournament, and I think it’s gotten better. I enjoy what this place demands, I love that quality golf usually surfaces in the proper way.”
In February of last year, Johnson, a two-time major winner, was named captain of the American team for the 44th Ryder Cup matches, which will be held in Rome, Italy, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
A player on five Ryder Cup teams (and four Presidents Cup teams), the captain intimated that his time in La Quinta is about more than just aiming for his first American Express title.
“I have the ability — and I’ll use it as time goes on — to massage some pairings, if you will,” Johnson said of the Ryder Cup gig. “Part of the beauty of the captaincy is that I’m still prevalent out here, to be able to play. I feel like that’s a gift to utilize. And it might not even be playing golf with them, it may just be hanging out in the locker room or going out to dinner.”
While tournament leader Thompson is no doubt raising eyebrows with his 62-64 start at the American Express, Johnson noted that one good day does not a Ryder Cupper…
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