Johnson relaxed ahead of final major

Posted on 13th August 2015 by Adam Ellis in Golf news | 0 Comments

Can Zach Johnson become the 12th man to win back-to-back Majors, after Jordan Spieth did so earlier this year (Photo by GettyImages)

American Zach Johnson says he is feeling confident and calm on the eve of the US PGA Championship.

The 39-year-old heads into the tournament having recently claimed the Open Championship at St Andrews after beating Australian Marc Leishman and South African Louis Oosthuizen in a three-way play-off.

The final major of the year returns to Whistling Straits for the third time, having previously hosted the event in 2004 and 2010 and the Claret Jug holder has good memories of the difficult course.

The 12-time PGA Tour winner finished in a tie for third with Rory McIlroy five years ago, just one shot behind Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer, with the latter taking the title in a play-off.

That is Johnson’s best finish in the tournament and the two-time major champion, who will play with McIlroy and Jordan Spieth for the first two rounds, insists he has a huge desire to grab a third title.

“The shock and awe of Augusta was pretty intense and I would say this year it’s more just extreme awe. The shock isn’t quite as significant,” he said. “Like anything, you get a taste for one or two and you still want more.

“I’m going to cling to the positives of five years ago, and I know what those are. Bottom line is, mentally I know I can play here. I know this golf course, kind of what it demands, and I think there are aspects of it that really suit my golf game.”