In ‘99, Zach Johnson tamed St. Andrews ... in Cedar Rapids

OK, Zach Johnson's home golf course in Cedar Rapids is Elmcrest Country Club.

But before he ever played at St. Andrews in Scotland, he helped cut his teeth in golf at St. Andrews in ... Cedar Rapids.

The two courses are similar in that they have 18 holes, are in the Western hemisphere, and ... they have 18 holes and are in the Western hemisphere. Not that the St. Andrews in Cedar Rapids isn't a good course, but ... you know.

The first round of the 1999 Greater Cedar Rapids Open was played at St. Andrews, and Johnson was in the field. His caddie, Andrew Ekland, was 15 years old.

Johnson shot a 65 that day.

'I would've offered a few suggestions, but Zach didn't need any,” Ekland said. 'He was playing so well today, I didn't want to do anything to mess him up.”

Ekland is now 31 and lives in Chicago. His father, Dave Ekland, was one of a group of sponsors who helped Johnson launch his golf career.

'I think that (day at St. Andrews) might have been Zach's first pro round,” Dave Ekland said.

Johnson tied for second in the 54-hole tourney. He was one position better Monday at the British Open. At the other St. Andrews.