Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson is ready to open defense of his title at the John Deere Classic near the Quad Cities.
Johnson will tee of in Thursday morning’s opening round in a group that includes Davis Love the third and Steve Stricker, who won three straight John Deere Classic titles before have the string snapped in 2012. Johnson views this week’s tournament as a brand new challenge.
“I’m trying to put 2012 behind me, it’s not like just because I won I have a 3-shot lead going into Thursday. So, I frankly have to put it behind me,” Johnson says.
Johnson has long considered the TPC at Deere Run to be his “home course”. He says he feels comfortable and normal on the course because of the support he has received while playing there.
Players will compete for a purse of $4.6-million with the winners share of nearly $830,000.