Zach Johnson Surges With Career-Best Round at Masters \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Zach Johnson carded a career-best 66 in Round 3 at Augusta, vaulting into the top 15. The 2007 Masters champion rolled back the years with six birdies and an eagle. His performance was inspired by legends like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer.
Quick Looks
- Zach Johnson shot a 6-under 66 in Saturday’s third round — his best-ever score at the Masters.
- It was Johnson’s first round in the 60s at Augusta since 2014, breaking a 28-round drought.
- The 2007 champion started the day T-40 and jumped to T-11 by Saturday afternoon.
- Johnson’s charge included six birdies and a 41-foot eagle on the par-5 second.
- He credited his conservative approach and sharp wedge play for the round.
- His pairing with Jon Rahm added extra momentum; Rahm carded a solid 70.
- The round came just a day after Johnson made the cut on the number at 2-over.
- Johnson’s performance was his best at Augusta in over 15 years.
- Inspired by Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer, Johnson said the Masters still brings out his best.
- He called walking down Magnolia Lane with newcomers his favorite Augusta tradition.
Deep Look
In a tournament often dominated by power hitters and rising stars, 49-year-old Zach Johnson delivered a performance at the 2025 Masters that reminded the golf world of something vital: skill, grit, and experience still matter at Augusta National.
On Saturday, the 2007 Masters champion carded a 6-under-par 66, the lowest round of his career at Augusta, vaulting from the cut line into the top 15 of the leaderboard. In a game increasingly shaped by distance, Johnson’s accuracy, strategy, and wedge play proved timeless.
“I don’t hit the ball far enough to compete on some of these venues,” Johnson said afterward. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t still do it.”
A Round That Came Out of Nowhere
Coming into Saturday, few would’ve predicted this surge. Johnson had barely made the cut, finishing Friday at 2-over-par, tied for 40th. In fact, he hadn’t shot a round in the 60s at Augusta in 28 consecutive rounds — not since 2014.
By Saturday afternoon, he was sitting at 4-under, in T-11 when he signed his card — a 29-spot climb, the biggest move of the day at that point.
And it wasn’t just the number — it was how he got there. Johnson rolled in a 41-foot eagle putt on the par-5 second, then added six birdies in eight holes, beginning at the turn and culminating in one of the best shots of the tournament on the par-3 16th, where he stuck it inside one foot.
Patience, Precision, and Pure Grit
Johnson’s approach was as strategic as ever. Laying up on the par-5s. Attacking only the right pins. Trusting his wedges. Staying present.
He birdied 9 and 10, then played “Golden Bell” — the iconic par-3 12th — to perfection, placing his approach within 15 feet and draining it. On 13, he again laid up short of Rae’s Creek and wedged to two feet. Then on 15, another surgical wedge to inside three feet led to another birdie.
But the highlight was 16: a 170-yard par-3 over water, a hole that has made and broken Masters dreams. Johnson stepped up and delivered perhaps the shot of the day — a ball flight that never wavered, settling inches from the cup.
He parred the difficult 17th and 18th to close out his career-best Masters round.
“Some of these pin positions allowed for it, but you had to be smart,” Johnson said. “You miss in the wrong spot, you’re toast.”
Masters Champions Can Age Gracefully
While young guns like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are chasing the green jacket, Johnson’s round served as a reminder of how Augusta respects veteran savvy.
Johnson joined a short list of Masters champions who have shot 66 or better past the age of 45 — a group that includes legends like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer. Ironically, Johnson cited both as key sources of inspiration.
“Those are my guys,” he said. “Couples, Langer — they show up and grind. You learn from them.”
This week marked Langer’s 41st and final Masters, while Couples narrowly missed the cut after needing a birdie at 18 on Friday. Johnson said watching their dedication inspired him to bring his best — and it showed.
Legacy, Leadership, and Magnolia Lane
Now serving as a U.S. Ryder Cup captain and respected veteran on tour, Johnson’s words carry weight beyond the ropes. Saturday wasn’t just about a score. It was about the connection to Augusta, and how this course has elevated careers and revived spirits.
“Taking someone down Magnolia Lane for the first time — it’s my favorite thing,” Johnson said, his voice catching with emotion. “I’ve seen tears. I’ve seen smiles. It’s nostalgia… and you still have to be where your feet are.”
His round wasn’t just a celebration of precision — it was a masterclass in emotional maturity, poise under pressure, and playing Augusta the right way.
What It Means Moving Forward
Johnson’s performance may not lead to another green jacket, but it sends a clear message: experience still counts. In a tournament known for celebrating youth, Zach Johnson reminded everyone that the right game plan, the right temperament, and a hot putter can still change a Masters leaderboard.
For younger players, it was a lesson in patience. For the veterans in the field, it was motivation.
And for golf fans — it was joy.
Zach Johnson Surges Zach Johnson Surges
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