Fans impressed by commitment of Day, other pros to attend Zach Johnson Foundation Classic

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jason Day drew quite the crowd Monday at the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic.

At every hole, dozens of fans greeted him, asking for autographs and photos.

Day made sure nobody left empty-handed. The native Australian met everyone by asking 'how's it going?” and left them by saying 'cheers.”

'Regardless of the weather, there was a good turnout,” said day, the No. 8-ranked golfer in the world. 'It's good to come out to something like this.”

During his rookie season, Day met Zach Johnson and the two have become good friends over the past eight years. Day was a late addition to the classic after checking in with Johnson to see if there could be a spot for him.

'It's easy to be able to support something like this,” Day said. 'We have to give back. It's easy to say ‘I don't want to play' or ‘there's not enough time to prepare.' It was good to come out today.”

Julie Hamilton of Cedar Rapids has not missed the ZJFC.

'It was nice that they take the time even though they're so busy,” she said of the professional golfers. 'It's a privilege and an honor to have them here.”

Hamilton had her chance to get an autograph from Day, who she admires - along with many others.

'It's Jason, Jordan (Spieth), Tony (Finau) who really make the whole event,” she said. 'I get to say ‘I got their autograph' someday when they really make it.”

Cole Haugen was visiting Cedar Rapids because his dad, Chris, had the chance to golf in Day's group. They came down from Alexandria, Minn. This is one of only a few tournaments Cole has been to with famous players.

'Being so close has been really cool,” he said. 'Jason is one of the guys I cheer for on TV. It's really cool bringing in big time golfers. Having them come to small town Iowa is pretty great.”