Cedar Rapids’ Zach Johnson loves links golf

SOUTHPORT, England — Zach Johnson produced another strong performance in the Open Championship, finishing his week at Royal Birkdale with a 4-under 66 on Sunday to tie for 14th.

His record in this championship the last three years is impressive: 2015 win, 2016 tie for 12th, 2017 tie for 14th.

When the 41-year-old says he loves links golf, he's not just dishing out quotes for a news story.

'I think the first take-away is that this tournament suits me, even when I have it going south I know that I can turn it around and play good golf here,' Johnson said.

Johnson opened with a 5-over 75 last Thursday, and said there were 'no positives' during that round. But in his typical fight back fashion, Johnson followed it up with the round of the day Friday with 66, shot even-par 70 on Saturday, and followed that with another 66 Sunday.

'This tournament suits me here,' Johnson said, 'and there were so many positives.'

Johnson was simply on fire with the putter Sunday. After missing a kick-in on the fifth, the Drake grad poured in a 90-footer from off the green on No. 8.

'I tried to measure it just based on pin placement and numbers,' Johnson said.

Could he recall the last time he drained such an outlandish putt?

'I don't remember the last time that happened,' Johnson said with a smile. 'Granted it was off the green, so technically I don't think it was a putt, but I count it as a putt.'

Garrett Johnston is a sports reporter and video producer. You can follow him on Twitter @JohnstonGarrett