Zach Attack

The Masters 2008

Well, the Masters is off to a good start. I played a few rounds last week and this week just to get ready for it. I played the best golf I have played in years and had a blast while doing so. Yesterday I played Redhawk in Temecula; it is a tough course but I did much better than I expected. Further, I watched the highlights of last years Masters and realized I had forgotten how tough the conditions were last year. The Masters: there is just no tournament like it… and I say that as a Scotsman.

Who could forget this incredible shot by Tiger last year? (see video)

Zach Johnson won the Masters last year. Although the odds point to Tiger making another advancement in his quest to break every record in the book, but I would like to see Zach win the green jacket twice in a row. Vartan Kupelian wrote, “Zach Johnson’s timing, like his golf, is impeccable. Johnson won the 2007 Masters with an uncanny display of course management and short game skills at Augusta National Golf Club. With golf’s greatest players in pursuit, including four-time Masters winner Tiger Woods, Johnson demonstrated the kind of poise and craft that Augusta National has always demanded of its champions.”

“When Johnson returns this year to the site of his greatest victory, he will be surrounded not only by his contemporaries but also significant chapters from the tournament’s past – and likely its future.

“The 2008 Masters marks the 50th anniversary of Arnold Palmer’s first of four victories at Augusta National. It also marks 50 years since Amen Corner got its name. Gary Player will be competing in his 51st Masters, breaking the record for most consecutive appearances he shares with Palmer.

“Palmer won the Masters every other year beginning in 1958 and ending in 1964. Only Jack Nicklaus has won more Green Jackets than Palmer and Woods, who each have four. Woods will attempt to move past Palmer and begin his quest to achieve golf’s Grand Slam, something that has not been achieved since 1930 when Bobby Jones, co-founder of Augusta National, accomplished one of the rarest of all sports feats.”

According to ASAP sports and Cybergolf, Zach was recently asked, “There’s a lot of talk about how dominant Tiger Woods is in general, for you personally, is that motivational to you, or is that intimidating at all?”

ZACH REPLIED: I believe someone asked me that yesterday, and I’ll say it this way. I think Tiger Woods, having the best athlete in the world and most recognizable athlete in the world, the most dominant athlete in the world playing our sport is by far and away the best thing that could happen to us. One, it transcends golf; he’s transcending golf. He’s bringing it to another level. He is, you know, from a fan base, from a Tour base, he’s making the Tour a lot better than what it was. And from another player’s standpoint, from my standpoint, he makes me want to get better. He says he can get better, which is absolutely scary; I mean, I know I can. It’s encouraging. Makes you want to work harder. He’s a freak, in a good way.