Career Timeline of Zach Johnson: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Zach Johnson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Zach Johnson is an American professional golfer with 12 PGA Tour wins. His major championship victories include the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open Championship. He recently captained the U.S. team at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1954: Masters Highest Winning Score Tied

In 2007, Zach Johnson's score of 289 (+1) at the Masters tied Sam Snead's 1954 score for the highest winning score.

1956: Masters Highest Winning Score Tied

In 2007, Zach Johnson's score of 289 (+1) at the Masters tied Jack Burke Jr.'s 1956 score for the highest winning score.

1986: First Outside the Top 50 to Win Masters

In 2007, Zach Johnson became the first golfer outside the top 50 in the world rankings to win the Masters since the rankings were introduced in 1986.

1992: Iowa 3A State Championship

In 1992, Zach Johnson led the Regis High School golf team to an Iowa 3A state championship during his sophomore year.

1998: Turned Professional

In 1998, Zach Johnson turned professional and began playing on various developmental tour circuits.

2001: Hooters Tour Wins

In 2001, Zach Johnson won the final three regular-season events on the Hooters Tour.

2003: Nationwide Tour Money List Winner

In 2003, Zach Johnson topped the money list on the Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) with record earnings, earning promotion to the PGA Tour.

April 2004: BellSouth Classic win vaulted him to 49th in the world

In April 2004, Zach Johnson's first tour victory at the BellSouth Classic vaulted him from 126th in the world to 49th.

2004: First PGA Tour Win

In 2004, Zach Johnson won his first PGA Tour event at the BellSouth Classic outside of Atlanta.

2006: Ryder Cup Qualification

In 2006, Zach Johnson qualified for the U.S. Ryder Cup team for the first time after a series of impressive results.

April 2007: Masters Tournament Victory

In April 2007, Zach Johnson secured his first major title by winning the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

2007: Began run of wins in all but one season

From 2007 to 2015, Zach Johnson grabbed wins in all but one season.

2007: Masters Win

In 2007, Zach Johnson won the Masters, marking a significant triumph in his career.

2007: 60 at Tour Championship

In 2009, it was noted that Zach Johnson had previously shot 60 at the 2007 Tour Championship, before shooting 60 again at the Valero Texas Open.

2007: FedEx Cup Playoffs introduced

In August 2019, Zach Johnson failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time since their inception in 2007.

October 2008: Valero Texas Open Win

In October 2008, Zach Johnson won the Valero Texas Open, marking his first PGA Tour victory outside of Georgia.

January 2009: Sony Open Win

In January 2009, Zach Johnson won the Sony Open in Hawaii, marking his fifth victory on the PGA Tour.

June 2010: Crowne Plaza Invitational Win

In June 2010, Zach Johnson won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, securing his seventh PGA Tour victory.

2011: Finished solo second at the Hero World Challenge.

In 2011, Zach Johnson finished solo second at the Hero World Challenge.

2012: Tied for Ninth at the Open Championship

In 2012, Zach Johnson finished tied for ninth at The Open Championship, played at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England.

2012: Second Crowne Plaza Invitational Win

In 2012, Zach Johnson won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial for the second time in his career, overcoming a late penalty.

December 2013: Northwestern Mutual World Challenge Victory

In December 2013, Zach Johnson achieved a playoff victory over Tiger Woods at the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge, propelling him into the top ten of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.

2013: BMW Championship Victory

In 2013, Zach Johnson won the BMW Championship, marking his tenth career victory and first FedEx Cup victory.

January 2014: Hyundai Tournament of Champions Win

In January 2014, Zach Johnson captured his 11th career victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, ascending to 7th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

2014: Hole-in-One at U.S. Open

During the 2014 U.S. Open, Zach Johnson scored a hole-in-one on the 172-yard par-3 9th hole at Pinehurst No. 2.

July 20, 2015: Open Championship Victory

On July 20, 2015, Zach Johnson won the Open Championship at St Andrews after a four-hole playoff against Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman, securing his 12th PGA Tour win and second major championship.

2015: Wins in all but one season ended

From 2007 to 2015, Zach Johnson grabbed wins in all but one season.

2015: Open Championship Win

In 2015, Zach Johnson won the Open Championship, securing his second major championship victory.

2015: Five-Year Exemption

In August 2019, Zach Johnson had a five-year exemption for winning the 2015 Open Championship.

2018: Made at least $1.6 million

From 2004 to 2018, Zach Johnson made at least $1.6 million every season.

July 2019: Fell out of World Top 100

In July 2019, Zach Johnson fell out of the Official World Golf Ranking top 100 players for the first time since April 2004.

August 2019: Failed to Make FedEx Cup Playoffs

In August 2019, Zach Johnson failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time since their inception in 2007.

July 2021: Withdrew from Open Championship

In July 2021, Zach Johnson was forced to withdraw from the Open Championship after testing positive for COVID-19, ending his streak of participating in 69 consecutive majors.