BOCA RATON – There’s a new gunslinger on the PGA Tour Champions.
Zach Johnson, a two-time major champion, won the first of what should be many titles on the senior circuit Sunday. He shot 3-under 69 for a four-shot victory in the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational at Broken Sound Club.
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It had been 3,884 days – about 10 ½ years — since Johnson lifted the Claret Jug after winning the 2015 British Open in a three-way playoff at St. Andrews, a span covering more than 200 tournaments.
“The next one is always the best,” Johnson said. “It’s humbling just to get to this point. If you had told me I’d be here at 50 years old, I would have said you’re crazy. I’m extremely excited. This tour is so welcoming.”
Oddly, both wins came at venues known as the Old Course, though St. Andrews is considered the home of golf.
“That has a good ring to it,” Johnson said. “I don’t think my kids remember me winning anything.”
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Johnson became the 22nd player to win his inaugural start on the PGA Tour Champions – joining a list that includes Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lanny Wadkins, Phil Mickelson and Tom Lehman – and the 24th player to win on the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.
“I want to be a better version of myself,” said Johnson, who won two majors and 12 titles on the PGA Tour. “I just don’t want to be out here.”
Johnson finished at 11-under 205, four ahead of Stewart Cink (70) and George McNeill (72). Cink was trying to become the 10th player in tour history to win three consecutive starts.
Johnson put his career on the back burner recently when he served as captain for the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team that lost to the Europeans in Rome. Now, he can focus on winning more tournaments.
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Johnson had a one-shot lead entering Sunday’s final round, but lost his lead when McNeill birdied the first hole. Johnson regained it with a 30-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole and pushed his lead to two with a birdie at the seventh. He also made clutch par putts at the fifth and 11th holes.
Johnson birdied the 12th hole to extend his lead to three shots. A birdie at the 16th enabled Johnson to enjoy his walk down the 17th and 18th fairways.
World Golf Hall of Famer Padraig Harrington, who won at Broken Sound two years ago, completed an impressive comeback this week after an opening 79. The Irishman closed with rounds of 66 and 65 to finish tied for fourth with four other players.
“I suppose I was more relaxed the last two days,” Harrington said. “The pressure was off. I wish I had a short memory earlier in my career. If I had shot 79, I would have gone to the range and tried to take everything apart. As I get older, I have learned those days just happen.”
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Harrington, who has 11 wins on the PGA Tour Champions, said he doesn’t think Sunday’s will be Johnson’s last win on the older tour.
“Zach is still competitive (on the PGA Tour),” Harrington said. “You only have a limited time on the Champions Tour where you have an advantage, and that’s where Zach is right now.”
Wellington resident Justin Hicks, who Monday-qualified for the event after not receiving a sponsor exemption, tied for 24th after a final-round 76.
Saturday, former Chicago Bears offensive tackle Jimbo Covert won the Pro Football Hall of Fame competition with a net score of 1-under 143, edging out Lawrence Taylor (145). DeMarcus Ware and Marshall Faulk tied for third at 2-over 146.
Zach Johnson putts for par on the fifth green as George McNeill watches during the final round of the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational at The Old Course at Broken Sound Club on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Boca Raton, FL.
Zach Johnson lines up his birdie putt on the first hole during the final round of the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational at The Old Course at Broken Sound Club on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Boca Raton, FL.
Zach Johnson hits his tee shot on the sixth hole during the final round of the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational at The Old Course at Broken Sound Club on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Boca Raton, FL.
Zach Johnson plays his tee shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational at The Old Course at Broken Sound Club on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Boca Raton, FL.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Zach Johnson wins James Hardie in PGA Tour Champions debut
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