By just about any measurement, Zach Johnson has exceeded expectations for his playing career.
The former Drake University golfer wasn’t even the No. 1 player on his team but, as he put it, he just kept getting better every year. So much so that he would go on to claim 12 PGA Tour titles, including two major championships, the 2007 Masters and 2015 British Open played at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. In doing so, he became only the sixth golfer to win majors at St. Andrews and Augusta National joining an exclusive group of players which includes Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
In February 2022, Johnson was named Team USA captain for the Ryder Cup, which begins Sept. 29 in Rome at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club,
Johnson has represented the U.S. side in the Ryder Cup five times as a player, being part of the winning team in 2016, and compiling an 8-7-2 record. Johnson has also served as a vice captain in the last two editions of the biennial contest in 2018 and 2021.
Attempting to win on European soil, something the American side hasn’t done in 30 years, sounds like an enormous task but Johnson just might be the right person for the job. Last week, while competing at the Fortinet Championship in Napa, California, Johnson sat down exclusively with Golfweek for the following Q&A.
Golfweek: What made you such a good singles player in Ryder Cups (3-1-1 record)?
ZJ: I don’t know. I mean I’m kind of like a gnat, like I just hang around, you know. I played three of my five over there. Over here, it’s more of a birdie fest, over there it’s more get in the fairway, make a few putts if you can. A lot of pars are made and you might win with a par. It lends itself to that kind of thing. That’s why I’m pretty good in both formats too.
GWK: You said a gnat. I was going to ask you, do you like being described as a bulldog?
ZJ: Yes. That’s probably another good description. I love match play and given the golf course, I think I think I can have success. I always feel like mentally I go into a manner in which I feel like the player I’m competing against is going to play really, really good so I have to play well. When we get up around the green, whether it’s a putt or chip or whatever, he’s going to make it.
GWK: You made the comment during your captain's pick press conference that "you don't leave JT at home." Was there a scenario that if he missed the cut at the Wyndham Championship, you would have done just that?
ZJ: None of the picks were based on one week. That”s probably the best way to explain that.
GWK: What do you say to the claims that the JT pick is emblematic of Team USA picking favorites?
ZJ: There were a lot of guys that I think are worthy and are justified to be on the team. That happens every year for this country. Obviously, I want to take 25 guys. I want to take as many guys as possible but again, it’s not based on one week or even one stretch. It’s based on a collection of data, a collection of recent data to some degree but also a collection of data that is what makes the Ryder Cup the Ryder Cup. So I don’t know who’s saying that, I do know that the individuals that made the team all wanted Justin Thomas on the team. The vice captains know what the Ryder Cup is all about specifically over there and there’s intangibles that he has and obviously tangibles that bode well anywhere.
GWK: Who's the alpha in the U.S. team room?
ZJ: Probably JT. I think we would all probably agree that he’s kind of the heart and soul of the team. There are a couple other guys who have traits and abilities and personalities that certainly have a leadership style. Brooks is pretty good, too. Guys listen when he speaks. But I would say that it’s not just something he says or even something he does it’s just it’s just the manner in which he goes about communicating with the guys, asking questions and the way he approaches that week. His record shows as a result.
GWK: How will Tiger Woods be involved?
ZJ: Well, he’s been involved throughout. Just communication, whether it’s a text here or text there. We can bounce things off him if we desire. At the same time, what’s happened as of late, he’s even voiced it: he’s like, ‘hey, once tournament week comes, I don’t need much.’ He’s like ‘if you need me to look at something, so be it.’ But at the same time, we really haven’t done that, because there’s so much of our work we get done before the week. But he’ll be in communication, whether it’s FaceTime or text.
GWK: Have you spoken to Phil Mickelson about the Ryder Cup and if so how recently have you conversed with him?
ZJ: I’ve spoken to him about the Ryder Cup, but it’s been a long time since I’ve conversed with him. Just because he’s a friend, number one. And number two, he was extremely kind and congratulated me on my captaincy. He was always a quasi captain-leader, as a player. So, yeah, strange not to have him involved. You know, it was a situation that just kind of evolved organically.
Q: The only bogey Steve Stricker really made as captain at Whistling Straits two years ago was during his speech. Have you written yours? And if so, when did you start practicing it?
ZJ: I haven’t written it. I’m consulting with the same individuals that Davis and Strick and everybody consulted with — we have an individual Kevin Sullivan who helps us navigate that. I’ve actually enjoyed the process. We’ve only had a couple of iterations of it. I want to say they told me that this year the speeches are going to be shorter and that was by design by Ryder Cup Europe, which is great, because the less I have to speak, the better. But there’s a process there. You want to get the key points but you also want to be transparent and genuine. He’s done a great job of bringing my personality into it, but also acknowledging what’s really important.
GWK: Who shaped your leadership style?
ZJ: I would say all the captains I’ve had and vice captains. Some of my old coaches that I kind of look at and admire and how they go about their work. Everybody from Tom Lehman to Corey Pavan to Steve Stricker, Davis Love to Fred Couples and Jack Nicklaus. I was so fortunate to have so many great leaders.
GWK: Give me one example of something any of those people did that struck you as an example of great leadership?
ZJ: I love the way Steve Stricker kept things very simple. That’s the way I’ve always operated. And simple in his approach, simple in what goes on outside the ropes to the team. Less is more. And then I’d also throw Steve in as well as all the guys I just listed I think gave me models of selflessness and dignity. It’s not about us. And the more we can make it, whether you verbalize it or you do it in actions, make it about making the 12 better.
GWK: You played on teams that had a record of 1-4 at the Ryder Cup and your road record was 0-3. How much do you plan to apply what you think the US did wrong playing on European soil?
ZJ: I don’t know if I’m trying to apply what we did wrong. I’m trying to apply what I think and what I’ve observed that could be efficient over there. That’s probably the better way to explain it. I’ve learned so much as a player and as a vice captain as to how to navigate, in my opinion, what we do over there.
GWK: Give me one example.
ZJ: I guess the best way I can explain it is I thought Steve did a great job when it was over here. He’s like, whatever happened in 2018, just doesn’t matter. All that matters is right now with these 12. And that’s what I’m doing with these 12. What’s happened in the last 30 years does not matter, because it’s an entirely different team on an entirely different golf course in an entirely different year. Everything’s different. What’s transpired at Whistling Straits and what transpired in the last three years, we’ve learned from it, but it’s irrelevant to what we’re trying to do right now. That’s the best way I can put it.
Q: Should the likes of LIV defectors Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson be given the privilege of being a captain for the Euros at a future Ryder Cup?
ZJ: That’s definitely not for me to say. I don’t know what their processes are, number one. One thing I do know is that their bylaws state you have to be a member of the European Tour. So they’re not right now. If that changes, well, then the outcome of being a Ryder Cup captain could change.
GWK: Do you think Fred Couples deserves a chance to be Ryder Cup captain?
ZJ: You can go down a list of guys that deserve it. I mean, he’d be on it, for sure, and he’d do a tremendous job and the guys would welcome it. Whether or not it happens, I have no idea and there’s obviously a committee for that and a process that does that. But he would be tremendous. I played for him twice and got a bad phone call once. Guys just want to be around Fred. He’s a great leader. That’s the best way I can explain it. He’s a lot more calculated than people give him credit for. He’s a no drama, no BS kind of guy. And as a vice captain, he is so strong, especially the week of the matches.
GWK: Do you want to see Phil Mickelson be a captain someday?
ZJ: I’ve had many conversations with Phil about the captaincy in the past three or four years. I think he would do a great job if he was. But I don’t know if he wants to; you’d have to ask him. I think you have to want to do it and you have individuals that support you. Like for me, I was asked to do it. I had to check myself in the sense like, Is it my time? Is it good for me with my personal life and home and work and all that? And also, what persuaded me to do it was the guys who asked me to do and said, It is your time. So I would think you have to have that too.
