Hlas at the Masters: Zach doesn't mind leaving spotlight here

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AUGUSTA, Ga. -- One by one Tuesday, players came to the media center at Augusta National Golf Club for press conferences.

Defending champ Trevor Immelman. Geoff Ogilvy. Greg Norman. Phil Mickelson. Tiger Woods. Young tigers Anthony Kim and Rory McIlroy were brought in for press conferences on Monday.

Zach Johnson's presence wasn't required, either day. The Masters champ of two short years ago is, in some ways, just another player here.

ESPN.com asked readers to rank 25 Masters contenders. Johnson, sixth in this year's PGA Tour money-winnings, wasn't among them.

Some athletes would wonder where's the respect? Johnson says he likes it just that way.

"I wasn't supposed to win in '07," Johnson said after he played nine practice holes at Augusta National for the Masters that starts today. Johnson tees off at 12:08 p.m., Iowa time.

"The way I look at it, I'm overshadowed every year. I like it. I didn't have a press conference this week. That's fine. I'm not upset about that. That's more time to prepare yourself."

It isn't as if Johnson has hidden his light under a basket this year. He's sixth in the PGA Tour in money won, is ranked 24th in the world, won the Sony Open in Honolulu, and has five other Top 20 finishes.

His most recent effort was a third-place showing at the star-packed Arnold Palmer Invitational.

But this year here, as opposed to last year, Johnson can go about his business without outside distractions.

A year ago as the defending champ, he had all sorts of interview requests by media outlets large and small. This year?

"I don't have any commitments," he said. "No, I have one. I had the Champions Dinner last night."

But unlike last year when Johnson had to plan the menu and be the man of the hour at the annual dinner at the Augusta National clubhouse, Tuesday night he was just one of the champs, eating some South African food selected by Immelman.

Immelman hasn't had any great success in tournaments since winning the Masters. Johnson can relate, a bit. He denied a "Masters hangover" last year, but he was having his least-profitable year since joining the Tour in 2004 until he won the Texas Open in October.

This year? It's been very good.

"I feel all right," Johnson said. "Overall I feel good about my approach. I'm going to stick with what I'm doing, every week."