Zach Johnson Celebrating His Open Anniversary This Week

They call the old course at St. Andrews, Scotland the birthplace of golf. Winning The Open Championship here is one of the most sought-after wins on the PGA Tour. Just ask Cedar Rapids, Iowa native Zach Johnson. Seven years ago, Johnson beat the course, the weather, and the field for his second major golf title.

Johnson first surprised the golf world in 2007 when he won The Masters. He put a green jacket in his closet not by being the longest hitter on the course, but with great shot-making and putting. While winning The Masters is one of the greatest feelings in golf, winning where golf was born is on a whole other level. Zach talked to the Cedar Rapids Gazette during last week's John Deere Classic and looked back on that amazing weekend seven years ago.

What does Johnson remember the most? He told the Gazette that the Monday finish for one. It was just the second time in the tournament's history that it finished on a Monday due to weather during the weekend. He also remembers his wife being there for his win as well. Golf fans probably remember that Johnson's win denied his close friend Jordan Spieth golf's Grand Slam, as he had won that year's Masters and U.S. Open.

What I remember about Johnson's Open win was the incredible sense of pride it brought to Iowans. To win both The Masters and The Open Championship makes for one incredible career. This week, Johnson gets to return to St. Andrews. He might not contend, but it won't matter. That's the thing about championships. No one can ever take them away.