Zach Johnson ties for eighth at U.S. Open

OAKMONT, Pa. - Zach Johnson shot a 1-over par 71 at the U.S. Open on Sunday to capture his best finish in the championship, tied for eighth place.

With all the rain, delays, starts and stops Johnson and the rest of the field faced this week what did the 40-year-old take away from competing and hanging around at the national open?

'Certainly a lot of positives, I don't feel like I had nearly my ‘A' game which is a good thing and I felt like technically I still have a chance to move forward in two rounds, specifically even today,” Johnson said.

Johnson began the day at 1-over and six shots behind leader Shane Lowry.

'I didn't get off to a great start and that didn't help but I fought and I feel good,” Johnson said. 'I feel good about the direction of my game and the way I'm swinging it and everything that's going on.”

Johnson shot a 1-over 36 but had three birdies on the back nine and finished it at even-par 35. This is the U.S. Open at Oakmont and as expected Johnson had some twisting putts, especially on the 12th.

'I put myself into position to make some putts (on the back nine), hit a really good putt on 12, but the length of the putt was probably seven feet but it rolled like twelve.”

Johnson had a long week, especially on the weekend when he played 35 holes Saturday, was at the course until 10 p.m. and got only six hours of sleep going into Sunday. But all in all Johnson was surprised with how well his body responded to the beating it took.

'After 35 holes yesterday I didn't know how I was going to be (Sunday) and amazingly enough I felt great,” Johnson said. 'I woke up this morning to play 18 which was not ideal but I was worried about my fitness, in the sense that I don't know the last time I played 35 holes in one day. I felt great, I could technically play more if I had to. I don't want to, but I could.”

Thankfully he doesn't have to and now he has an excuse to tell his kids he can sleep in this week. A well-earned one.