Masters champion Zach Johnson says he came to the Verizon Heritage to win. But his tired play Thursday showed otherwise.
After three days of celebrity meetings and TV guest appearances, the weary Johnson shot an up-and-down 70 at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head. He was seven shots behind Jerry Kelly, the first-round leader at 8-under 63. Ernie Els was second at 65.
Still, Johnson's smile rarely left during his morning round, even as he made two bogeys and a four-putt double bogey. Crowds applauded his every move, Johnson gratefully acknowledging the praise, yet eager to get the focus back on the course.
"I didn't come here just to show up. I'm going to try and win," Johnson said.
LPGA TOUR: At Reunion, Fla., Lorena Ochoa shot a 6-under 66 in the opening round of the Ginn Open, tying Laura Davies for the lead and moving a step closer to supplanting the injured Annika Sorenstam atop the rankings. Brittany Lincicome, in the same group as Ochoa, was a stroke behind at 5 under. Na Ri Kim, Sherri Turner and Mi Hyun Kim were 4 under.