Final round: Johnson wins, moves off money bubble

text size

Feldman\Getty Images

Zach Johnson celebrates his fourth PGA TOUR win -- and first in 17 months -- with his son Will.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Zach Johnson found his putting touch in time for a season-salvaging victory in the Texas Open.

RELATED LINKS

Final results and money
Updated money list
Johnson's scorecard
Audio: Sunday podcast
Video: Wi shoots 61
Video: Ames shoots 62
Video: Wilkinson eagles 14
Video: PGA TOUR Today
Photos: Final round

"I've been working on my putting over the last six weeks with my teachers, and it really paid off this week," Johnson said. "I had a tough year, but the putts started to fall in today, and that's why I'm at the top of the leaderboard."

The 2007 Masters champion who entered the week with only one top-10 finish this year, followed his third-round 62 with a 64 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory over Charlie Wi (61), Mark Wilson (63) and Tim Wilkinson (64).

The win in the Falls Series event, capped by a 5-foot birdie putt on 18, was his first on the PGA TOUR outside Georgia. In addition to the Masters, he won the 2004 BellSouth Classic and 2007 AT&T.

"This week, I was just concentrating on the process not the outcome," Johnson said. "I had six weeks off this fall (after not qualifying for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup) and I just rededicated myself to getting back to what I used to do."

Wi parred the final two holes.

"I didn't look at the scoreboard until I got to the 15th hole. I knew Zach was close, but I was playing very good," Wi said. "I was very happy to make those birdies on 15 and 16. I wish I could have made one more."

Third-round leader Rory Sabbatini shot a 72 to finish seven strokes back at 12 under.

Johnson never trailed on the back nine, but both Wi and Wilkinson keep the pressure on with birdie putts of their own. On the par-4 18th, Johnson hit his drive more than 300 yards and put his 9-iron approach to 5 feet.

"I'm not proud of many shots, but I was proud of that one," Johnson said.

The ensuing walk up the 18th fairway was filled with smiles and waves for the crowd, while his wife and young son waited behind the green.

"Hopefully this is the first of many to come," Johnson said.

TRIVIA QUESTION

Zach Johnson won the Valero Texas Open at 19-under par after four rounds of 69, 66, 62 and 64. It was a big week and a big win for Johnson. He picked up $810,000 in winnings and moved to 55th on the money list. Prior to this week's tournament, what was Johnson's best PGA TOUR finish in 2008 and where was he positioned on the money list? See the answer at the bottom of the page

Sunday's Best

EASIEST HOLE TOUGHEST HOLE The par-5, 665-yard 1st was easiest with a Sunday scoring average of 4.573. EAGLES: 2 BIRDIES: 31 PARS: 40 BOGEYS: 1 OTHERS: 1 The par-4, 448-yard 2nd was toughest with a Sunday scoring average of 4.253. EAGLES: 0 BIRDIES: 3 PARS: 52 BOGEYS: 18 OTHERS: 2

SHOT OF THE DAY ROUND OF THE DAY Zach Johnson's approach on the par-4 18th hole ensured an easy tap-in for birdie on his way to a two-stroke victory over the field at La Cantera. Watch his shot. Charlie Wi tore through the course in the final round with a mistake-free, bogey-free 9-under 61 on his way to a tie for second and best '08 finish. Check out his scorecard

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"First and foremost, this round and this week especially was for the State of Iowa. Especially in my home, Cedar Rapids, that community was devastated in June. Other disasters, mainly tornadoes. I'm dedicating this one to them. They mean a lot to me." -- Zach Johnson has been deeply involved with the relief and fundraising efforts in Iowa and was pleased to dedicate his victory to his home state.

JOHNSON'S WIN CASTS LIGHT ON DIFFICULT YEAR FOR IOWA, HIMSELF
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

SAN ANTONIO -- This one was for Iowa.

For Cedar Rapids. For the victims of June's tornadoes and floods who are still struggling to put their lives and businesses back together.

Johnson

For the people who've had his back ever since junior golf.

Yes, Zach Johnson is that humble.

No matter how big a deal it was for him to push through and win for the first time in nearly 17 months, to throw out a closing 64 and come from one shot back a couple of times Sunday to take the final autumn-slated Valero Texas Open by two shots, it was, well, equally as big a deal back home.

"They they've been with me supporting me unconditionally," Johnson said. "I'm giving this one back to them.''

And what a win to give back.

This one was about patience, perseverance and playing to your strengths. All he needed was to get his tee shot in the fairway -- pretty much a given -- and get a wedge in his hand. That done, he simply dissected the La Cantera course.

On a day when Steve Elkington and Charlie Wi threw out 61s, when Stephen Ames tossed out a 62 and there were two 28s on the back nine, all Johnson did was outshoot 'em. His closing rounds of 62-64 were the best here since Ron Streck shot 63-62 to win in San Antonio in 1978 and they gave him a two-shot victory over Wi, Mark Wilson and Tim Wilkinson.

• To read the remainder of this story, click here.

THIRD-ROUND NOTEBOOK: VALERO TEXAS OPEN
By Chris Reimer, PGA TOUR Staff

• Robert Gamez played as a single on Sunday. The 2005 Valero Texas Open champion shot a 3-under-par 67 and completed his round in two hours and 13 minutes.

Elkington

• Steve Elkington fired a career-low 61 on Sunday to finish at 8-under 272. Elkington, who had only nine birdies during his first 54 holes, rolled in 10 birdies during the final round. The 45-year old Australian bettered his previous career low of 63, which he had posted three times before, most recently at the 1991 Southwestern Bell Colonial. The former University of Houston Cougar canned putts totaling 155 feet, 3 inches, including birdie putts of 31 feet, 5 inches at No. 16 and 42 feet, 5 inches at No. 17. Those were the only two putts he made all week over 20 feet.

• Steve Elkington and Charlie Wi each posted 9-under 61s today, tying the lowest 18-hole score on the PGA TOUR this year -- Mike Weir, Deutsche Bank Championship; Roland Thatcher, Mayakoba Golf Classic; Carl Pettersson, Wyndham Championship.

• Steve Elkington closed his 61 today with a 7-under 28 on the back nine. That score also ties the lowest 9-hole score on the PGA TOUR this year: Briny Baird, Wyndham Championship; Jim Furyk, BMW Championship.

• Bob Sowards also posted a 7-under 28 on the final nine today. The 40-year-old Ohio native closed his round eagle/birdie/birdie to polish off his 63. Sowards had three birdies to open the back nine, then added three consecutive pars before closing with a flourish.

• TOUR rookie Bob Sowards shot a 7-under 63 to move up the leaderboard and tie for 19th. The 63 is also a career low for Sowards, who entered the week No. 188 on the money list after making only seven cuts in 17 starts. His only top 10 this year is a tie for ninth at the Wyndham Championship.

• To read more final-round notes, click here.

INSIDE THE ROPES WITH THE PGA TOUR NETWORK
XM Satellite Radio announcer Fred Albers offers these observations from Sunday's action. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146 or right here at PGATOUR.COM.

Never underestimate the value of a veteran PGA TOUR caddie. Damon Green and Zach Johnson conferred before the final shot into the 18th green. With 144 yards to the flagstick, Johnson at first pulled a 9 iron. Then the wind came up and Green suggested an 8 iron. Johnson stiffed it to five feet and pointed his finger at Green, who said "That's the way to finish, like a champion"

It takes some luck to win on the PGA TOUR, and Charlie Wi caught an unfortunate gust of wind at the 18th. Just as his approach left the club face of his pitching wedge, the wind came up and knocked down his approach. Instead of inside of 10 feet, his ball landed 20 feet from the cup and his birdie putt barely missed. Wi finished in a tie for second.

How do PGA TOUR players determine their schedules? Stephen Ames did not always intend on playing in Las Vegas, but when his two sons heard Justin Timberlake was the tournament host, Ames changed his plans. "My wife and sons are big fans, and Justin is giving a private concert for the players as well. Now we are all looking forward to Vegas," said an excited Ames

TRIVIA ANSWER

Zach Johnson was 125th on the money list coming into the Valero Texas Open and moved up 70 spots with his victory. His best finish on TOUR this season was at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship, where he put together four rounds of 69, 72, 67 and 68 for a total score of 276 at 12-under par. He finished tied for ninth place, five shots behind winner Geoff Ogilvy.