Vincent Publishing - Index

Vincent Publishing - 2008 Northern Trust Open - Index

Zach Johnson tips his hat to the crowd after winning the Masters in April.
52
2008 OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT MAGAZINE
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
YEAR IN REVIEW
His chase for Byron Nelson’s 11 wins streak ended a month
later in his next start - the World Golf Championships—
Accenture Match Play Championships, when Australian Nick
O’Hearn went 20 holes with Woods before finishing him off
in the third round.
Masters in sight
In his next appearance in a WGC event, the inaugural World
Golf Championships — CA Championship (formerly the WGC
— American Express Championship), Woods won the event
for the sixth time. It was the second time that he has successfully
defended his title in Miami. He won the Ford Championship
at Doral in 2005 and 2006. The victory in Miami assured
Woods a win in at least one WGC event every year since
they began in 1999.
Just looking at his record through the Florida swing, which was
modified to accommodate the FedExCup series, Woods
looked like he was lazily napping on a tree branch ready to
pounce when another major popped up, and it looked like
another jacket would be hung in his closet.
Woods headed into the final round of the Masters one stroke
off the lead, playing in the final group with Stuart Appleby.
By the second hole, Woods looked like a lock for his fifth
Masters and third straight major when he took the lead after
a short birdie. Unfortunately, this major didn’t work out like so
many others.
Johnson, a chiropractor’s kid from Iowa, and three other players
came after him, and this time Woods was the one who
backed off with sloppy mistakes — a broken club, shots that
found either the water or the bunker and too many putts that
stayed out of the cup.
It was the third time that Woods lost a lead during the final
round of a major, and the first time he failed to get it back.
He closed with a 72, the first time as a professional that he
played in the Masters without breaking par. Retief Goosen
and Rory Sabbatini each shot a 69 on a day when the course
finally allowed something that resembled those fabled
charges on the back nine.
But that wasn’t the case.
A 31-year-old from America’s midland was this year’s
champion.
It all seemed surreal to Johnson. Three
clutch birdies on the back nine at the
Masters. His name atop the leaderboard.
Toppling Tiger Woods. Slipping on the
green jacket.