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John Deere Classic: Zach Johnson Becomes 4th Player to Win Multiple Events in 2012

Published

12 years ago

July 16, 2012

In a 2-hole playoff at TPC Deere Run on Sunday, Zach Johnson defeated Troy Matteson to win his second Tour event of the year.

In an exciting round Sunday which looked as if Steve Stricker was going to win his 4^th John Deere Classic in a row, we saw comebacks and collapses. Stricker was keeping ground with Matteson who led through 54 holes before falling 2 back with double bogey 16^th. Stricker’s round fell apart after missing the drivable par 4 15^th. He pulled the ball left and it trickled into the hazard woods and was forced to take a drop. After a brilliant recovery he missed the short par putt to save par at which point the wheels began to come off for 3-time Deere champ.

Matteson bounced back nicely after his double bogey draining an “almost” football field length eagle putt which rimmed the cup before splashing down. An excited Matteson went to the 18^th tied with Zach Johnson who was already in the clubhouse observing Matteson’s missed birdie to win, which forced the playoff.

Johnson teed off first; hitting his drive left into the same bunker Steve Stricker was in the previous year (Steve came out cleanly and birdied to win that year). Matteson went right which forced his second shot into the water hazard. Faced with a simple lay-up to an up and down par, Zach decided to go for broke and drew the ball too far left…into the water hazard as well. They both pared the hole and Zach Johnson took the crown on the next hole with a birdie, which was also played on the 18^th hole. I guess he learned how to play it more conservative that time around.

With the win, Johnson shoots up the FedEx Cup Standings to 2^nd place right below Tiger Woods. Both of these gentlemen will be heading to Royal Lytham for this week’s British Open. Check back with us for our picks of the week.