Zach Johnson puts John Deere Classic disappointment behind him to lead The Open

Zach Johnson bounced back from the bitter disappointment of US Tour play-off defeat last weekend to set a blistering pace in the first round of The Open.

Former Masters champion Johnson was on fire as he carded a stunning opening round 66 (-5) to show the way just 12 months after securing a top 10 spot at Royal Lytham.

Johnson showed all his mettle and experience as he brilliantly recovered from missing out at the death in the John Deere Classic, quipping: “I had forgotten all about it until you just mentioned it!

“I’m only teasing. I think this game demands resilience. It demands resilience on the golf course, each round, each hole, and day to day. But it also demands it week to week. And that just comes with experience.”

Johnson has got bags of that now and though many of his longer-hitting opponents tended to leave their driver in the bag for fear of finding the penal rough, he frequently employed his ‘big dog’ and to good effect,

He told TG: “I’m very comfortable on the tee box this year, specially with my driver. I know a lot of guys are saying there’s not a lot of drivers out here which – relative to long golf courses or a Major for that matter – there probably isn’t. But it’s one of my best clubs, so I’m going to take advantage of that when I can.”

He did just that although his approach work and putting was pretty hot too! He added: “It was a very solid day and I felt great. Certainly coming into the week I felt great on the tee shots today.

“I felt pretty comfortable on my approach shots too though I had some good numbers to hit some shots close, because that is part of it here –  as firm as it is. Any time you shoot under par in an Open or a Major, for that matter, you have to be putting at least somewhat decent, and I putted great.”

Clearly Johnson is very much the man in form and with his experience and all round game you wouldn’t bet against him holfing aloft the Claret Jug come Sunday night….