If ever there was a non-story at the Masters this year, it’s defending champion Zach Johnson. The man who will be placing the Green Jacket on this year’s winner is just a footnote in Masters’ coverage that is fully Tiger Woods-centric.
If you remember your golf history, it was in 2007 that Johnson stunned Woods and the golf world by playing a remarkably steady four rounds at the suddenly brutal Augusta National course, winning his first major and marking himself down as a player to keep an eye on. Johnson won just one more time in 2007, and slowly saw his media profile dwindle.
Of course, immediately after winning at Augusta last year, Johnson - a devout Christian - gave his thanks to Jesus Christ. Madly, golf writers like myself went nuts, desperately trying to make an issue out of it. It was not to be, however, as the golf-loving public respectfully nodded to Z.J. and J.C. and went about on their way.
In 2008, however, once again golf writers like myself are playing the Jesus card, hoping to stir a little controversy and get a little Zach back in the press.
All I’m saying is this: Religion is important to many, and I respect that. However, if Jesus played in Johnson’s 2007 victory, what happens if Johnson misses the Masters cut in 2008? What part will Jesus have played? Now, I’m sure Johnson will thank Jesus anyway, because that’s just the kind of good guy he is at heart.
Personally, I think Jesus will have gotten out of it too easily. It’s time for Christian athletes to stand tall and blame Jesus for their misfortunes. It would sound even better coming from a golfer:
“Things were going great until Jesus had me pull a putt on No. 12. That Jesus, I love him, but he really killed my momentum there.”
Ok, I admit I’m not really expecting that. But I am saying that at very least, Johnson has put a lot of pressure on himself, and Jesus.
So maybe that doesn’t add up to much, but what can I say, I’m a golf writer. And creating controversy over nothing demands that a golf writer has limitless expectations. And at very least, someone may notice that Zach Johnson is the Masters defending champion.
–WKW
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Regardless of my own personal beliefs - which are much much more despised than yours - I do appreciate your comment. In all seriousness.
Bill