Tell us about your two rounds at the Masters.
After a good start Thursday, Friday was obviously a tough day. Zach Johnson: Friday was a tough day for me. I started out pretty well and around the fourth hole seemed to lose my sense of speed on the greens. The greens at Augusta National are so fast and difficult, that if you are lacking even the slightest confidence you are in trouble. I kind of lost my rhythm and had a hard time getting it back. Other than that, I really feel I may have put too much pressure on myself early in the week to play well… not a good thing at Augusta National. Obviously, the scores were lower at the Masters this year than in 2007, when you won it. What&sup1s the reason for the better scoring this year ZJ: Well, I think the conditions were much more conducive for scoring this year. Some of the weather in ’07 was just brutal. The course was also set up differently with some tees moved up bringing the par fives back into range. The tournament committee obviously set up the course to get more birdies and excitement and it made for a great tournament. Did you watch the weekend play at the Masters What were your impressions ZJ: I did watch the event as I always have. I thought it was very exciting but heartbreaking seeing some of my friends have such a good chance to win the Green Jacket, only to fall short. Chad and Kenny played great golf but in the end it just wasn’t enough. Have you ever been in Kenny Perry&sup1s position, where you lose a late lead ZJ: I have lost leads but never that deep into an event. I feel for Kenny as getting it to the house is hard enough, let alone when you have the pressure of winning the Masters. I feel badly for him because he played such solid golf most of the tournament. How does a player get over that kind of disappointment ZJ: Well, with the event being the Masters, you probably never do because you are so close to being a part of golf history. But as competitors, we get over our disappointments by looking forward to the next challenge and the next opportunity to win. Kenny will bounce back and win more tournaments in the future. You had a great tournament at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Describe what Arnie means to the game.
ZJ: Well, Mr. Palmer means everything to the game. His success, style and swagger made the game cool and drew in the mass audiences we have today. Because of his flair and all he was accomplishing and how he was doing it, he made it possible for golf to find its way to television. The benefits we receive today as professional golfers are largely attributed to Arnold. The game could not have a better ambassador! How does Bethpage Black, site of the U.S. Open, set up for your game