HONDA CLASSIC

February 24, 2023

Zach Johnson

PGA National Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. It was a battle out there, but well played, 3-under par 67.

ZACH JOHNSON: Yeah, thanks. Anything around here around that par or below, you can't be too upset about. I had ample opportunity. A couple bonehead mistakes, a couple really poor shots. I can think of two or three off the top of my head that were really poor, but this place will do it to you. You start creeping in with bad thoughts and lack of commitment, and that's what happens.

But I'm encouraged. I've been encouraged for weeks/months with my direction, and certainly with what me and Smitty are trying to do out there. It's just a matter of me staying where my feet are and executing.

Q. You mentioned Smitty, Brian Smith, your caddie. You guys were really focusing on the grain out there. I know we're on Bermuda greens. Anything in particular you guys were either trying to find or couldn't find?

ZACH JOHNSON: I mean, there's been some putts out there that will kind of confuse you where the slope kinda looks like it does one thing and the grain might be going the other way. Those are the trying ones. Those are difficult. I feel like we have that pretty much every week.

Oftentimes or most times the grain follows the slopes, follows the drainage, whatever you want to say. Commit and play -- there was a couple putts that actually hit the hole today that the grain got the best of me. It's not like they were four-foot putts. They were longer than that. I hit solid putts.

They're pure. You can make putts out here. If you start getting a little bit of confidence, obviously seeing your line -- if you start it on line with the proper speed, that sounds cliche, you've got a really good chance of making it because they're that pure.

Q. Obviously a great grouping this week, three guys that I openly respect and epitomize, PGA TOUR professionals, you, Luke and Padraig. What was it like out there with those guys and obviously you and Luke have some business to take care of in September?

ZACH JOHNSON: Yeah, awesome, phenomenal pairing. I'd take it every week. Two good buddies, two awesome champions. Padraig, I feel like he played better than what he shot the last two days. I think he'll probably hang in there, at least my hope is that he gets in.

Two tremendous individuals. Very, very happy, encouraged, and I'd say honored to go through this Ryder Cup endeavor with Luke and Diane and my wife. It's special. Those guys -- the Donalds are amazing, and we've already gotten a little bit closer I'd say, and certainly excited for what's going to transpire in the next six, seven months.