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  • FedExCup Points: 50,000
  • Purse: $7.0 million
  • Winning Share: $1,260,000
  • Yards: 7,547
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Johnson prepping for Cog Hill with stop at Wrigley Field
 
Sep. 13, 2007
Masters champion singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame"

CHICAGO, Ill. -- No, he hasn't been practicing.

"I probably should, though, considering I can't sing," a smiling Zach Johnson is quick to point out.

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Zach Johnson's Iowa upbringing makes him a natural Chicago Cubs fan. (WireImage)

But the prospect of singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" on Tuesday night in Wrigley Field doesn't faze the Masters champion. After all, just four months ago at Augusta National, he held off none other than Tiger Woods to win his first major.

"I'm not nervous," Johnson said. "I mean, I've seen it done. It's more of a chant and getting the crowd going and they take over. I'm going to be swinging the microphone, I think. They're not going to want to listen to my voice."

In a clever play on words, one of the posts on the message boards on the Des Moines Register website wonders "Can Zach Johnson master ditty?" We'll know after the seventh inning stretch as the Cubs host the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Johnson follows former Cubs centerfielder Andy Pafko by 24 hours at the microphone. He precedes Wayne Messmer, billed as the "National Anthem Singer Extraordinaire," and TV journalist Bill Kurtis, who round out the Dodgers' home stand.

"They contacted my agent, that's all I know," Johnson said when asked how his singing debut materialized. "My entire family is huge Cubs fans, so it should be fun."

Johnson said his brother lives in Chicago and will be there to offer moral support, along with several other relatives. He expects his parents to return to the Windy City for the weekend as he plays in the BMW Championship at Cog Hill.

The tournament is the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Johnson has already put himself in good position after wins at the Masters in April and AT&T Classic in Atlanta the following month.

Johnson at Cog Hill
Events Rounds Cut Top 25
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He comes into the BMW Championship ranked 10th and a lock to make THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. He's essentially a victory away from taking over the No. 1 spot with two events remaining in the race for the $10 million bonus.

Johnson, who is a member of the PGA TOUR Playery Advisor Council, has watched with considerable interest as the Playoffs progressed. He likes what he sees so far and he knows it will only improve.

"You play solid and you can move up," Johnson said. "Last week (at The Barclays), I played well. I didn't score very well, and I finished 25th and I moved down a spot. We want volatility, and I think we got it.

"I mean, there's going to be some tweaks here and there. I don't know whether the points are going to be tweaked or schedule or what. I don't have any idea, but I think we put a lot of time and effort into it ... to make it the best product the first year, and I think we've done a pretty good job of that.

"I think once everybody really grabs hold of it and understands why we're doing it and where it's going and how we're going to do it, I think it's going to get better and better."

Johnson has played three tournaments at Cog Hill, missing two cuts and tying for 21st last year. He's done a little better at East Lake -- finishing 13th at a rookie in 2004 and 16th last year -- but he'll need to contend at both venues to win the FedExCup.

"I haven't really played well at Cog Hill yet," Johnson said. "But the golf course is not necessarily a bomber's course and there's usually rough, so that suits me. And Atlanta, I haven't played well. ... However, it is in Georgia.

"Hopefully those vibes will keep going."