Zach’s back at John Deere with eyes on another Open

NEW YORK: Zach Johnson is among 18 Americans using this week’s US PGA John Deere Classic as a final tuneup for next week’s British Open, where he seeks a second win in three tries.

Johnson’s 2015 victory at St Andrews, defeating Australian Marc Leishman and South African Louis Oosthuizen in a four-hole playoff, brought his second major crown after taking the 2007 Masters.

And while Johnson appreciates those who travel to Europe early, he doesn’t want to miss what amounts to a hometown event. The TPC Deere Run at Silvis, Illinois, is only an hour’s drive from his birthplace in Iowa City, Iowa.

“That Scottish Open is a great tournament,” Johnson said. “It seems like they have really made it a priority to play a links-style golf course. You really can’t fault somebody to prepare for the Open and the Scottish, they’ve really done a great job. You see more PGA Tour players playing that event before the Open Championship.

“However, this tournament is making it attractive, too.”There’s a flight that takes players directly from the event to the British Open so there is as little lost time as possible. Adjusting to the time difference and jet lag is a factor, but it does keep the US event viable for those who don’t mind missing the Scottish, which has included former US Open and Masters winner Jordan Spieth, whose first pro win came at the John Deere in 2013.

“Whether it’s how Jordan has played here and gone over there or myself, and then the fact that we’ll get you there in a pretty timely manner, there are no negatives. It’s just a matter of priorities and desires and probably families as to which selection you’re going to take. Or just taking the week off and going over early. There are options. I like being here.”

There will be 19 players on the flight to England for next week’s showdown, assuming the one available spot to a top finisher at the John Deere Classic is taken.Johnson, defending John Deere champion Ryan Moore and two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson are among the all-US group headed for Europe on Sunday.