Zach Johnson misses Masters cut, but still enjoys experience

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Zach Johnson didn’t have his best stuff this week at Augusta National and missed the cut on Friday afternoon after posting a 5-over 77 Thursday and a 2-over 74 on Friday.

Many big names joined him in departing early, including defending champ Dustin Johnson and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy

The conditions all week have been firm and fast but beyond that, there haven’t been many similarities to the time Johnson made his magical run in 2007 and won the green jacket on Easter Sunday.

“I think the only similarities are we start on the same hole and we finish on the same hole. I don’t think it got to 60 degrees that week in 2007,” Johnson told Amanda Balionis on Masters On the Range on Friday. “There are some parallels. It was firm and fast in 2007 but other than that, there’s not a whole lot of similarities. It was a lot windier in 2007.”

Johnson, even though he struggled to score this week, still liked what he saw in the course conditions.

“The best part about what we’re witnessing with the course conditions is that it’s going to separate the field,” Johnson told Balionis. “If you’re on, it will show it, if not it will expose you.”

Masters week is not just about the numbers and scores players put up starting Thursday, it’s often remembered for its many great traditions. As a past champ, Johnson feels humbled to be a part of those.

“As the years go by, my appreciation and gratitude for the Masters grows,” Johnson told The Gazette in an email last week. “It has to with the people I surround myself with, the membership and how they welcome me back, the reverence for the green jacket, and the individuals who I am able to eat dinner with Tuesday evening (Champions Dinner).”

What does it feel like to be a part of that elite brotherhood with the game’s biggest legends living and present?

“It’s humility through and through,” Johnson said. “I would also add the many, many opportunities that my Green Jacket has gifted me over the years and continues to, humbles me and my family.”

Garrett Johnston has covered 30 major championships. He also hosts the Beyond the Clubhouse podcast.