The American Specific: Zach Johnson goes nuclear early for lead

Regardless of being a 47-year-old PGA Tour veteran, Zach Johnson appeared like top-of-the-line gamers on the earth at The American Specific Thursday.

The previous Ryder Cup captain signed for a 10-under 62 at La Quinta Nation Membership, holding a share of the lead with Alex Noren of Sweden after day one.

“I bought off to an excellent begin and gained some momentum. Hit lots of photographs in the course of the membership face,” Johnson stated of his first spherical.

“Once I had loft in my hand I used to be in a position to be aggressive, which is at all times key. Clearly, I putted nicely… You bought to search out your line and hit it down your line right here. It is a place the place when you’ve got any rhythm, any momentum, any semblance of first rate kind, you may get it going. [PGA West] is certainly one of my favourite stops. It’s simply someday, [but] lots of golf left.”

Certainly, Johnson bought off to a roaring begin, taking pictures a 7-under 29 on the entrance facet. He birdied each gap besides the second and third.

He made three extra birdies on the again and didn’t drop a single shot.

Photograph by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Photographs

“My course of has been nice with my caddie. I’m attempting to hit the center of the fairways as a lot as attainable, and that’s labored out nicely, so [I have to] keep within the second,” he added.

Johnson has two rounds left earlier than Saturday’s 54-hole minimize: one on the Pete Dye Stadium Course and one other on the Nicklaus Event Course.

Gamers play three programs—these two and La Quinta—earlier than Sunday’s remaining spherical, which takes place on the Stadium Course at PGA West.

“[PGA West] is legitimately one of many purest locations we play on the PGA Tour year-in, year-out,” Johnson added. “The grass is—it nearly appears pretend.”

Humorous sufficient, Johnson admires this venue a lot that he needs to turn into a member.

“I really like this place, the membership right here, the membership’s terrific. I advised the assistant professional right this moment that if I broke 76, I ought to get a free membership,” Johnson quipped.

“From a situation standpoint, it’s legitimately top-of-the-line amenities I’ve ever set foot on, and I do know my friends; I’m assured they’d say the identical. It’s not huge or intimidating from a distance standpoint, however you need to form your ball.”

Johnson did greater than sufficient to place up his finish of the cut price, as he holds the 18-hole lead. However he has not received because the 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews, the place he defeated Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in an exciting playoff.

Possibly if Johnson ends his nine-year victory drought, the membership will welcome him with open arms as a member.

That may make for an excellent story, proper? Significantly better than the story of the American workforce at Marco Simone, at the least.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.