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Cedar Rapids' Favorite Son Accepts Sponsor's Exemption To Play In 2003 John Deere Classic Zach Johnson Returns Home to Face Elite Field Contact Barry Cronin EAST MOLINE, Ill. (Aug. 4, 2003) - The John Deere Classic has awarded a sponsor's exemption to Cedar Rapids, Iowa native and former Drake University star Zach Johnson, who has been having a sensational season on the Nationwide Tour, it was announced today. John Deere Classic tournament director Clair Peterson said the 26-year-old Johnson deserved to receive the exemption because of his outstanding play on the PGA Tour's developmental circuit, where he has recorded one victory this year and seven other top 10 finishes (as of Aug. 2). "Zach Johnson is the prototypical OElocal boy makes good, and the John Deere Classic is pleased to be able to offer him the opportunity to play on the PGA Tour," Peterson said. "We expect Zach will be competitive with the top players in the world and we invite his many fans to take this opportunity to see him play against the best." Johnson is ranked No. 1 in scoring average, putting and all-around play on the Nationwide Tour, where he won the Rheem Classic in Ft. Smith, Arkansas on April 27. Earlier this year, he finished 17th at the Bell South Classic, a regular PGA Tour event. In 2001, he tied for 36th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. "To receive a sponsor's exemption to play in the John Deere Classic means a lot to me because it's close to home, I have a lot of family and friends in the area, and I love the golf course," Johnson said. "It was the only tournament that I asked for an exemption." Johnson received a sponsor's exemption into the 2002 John Deere Classic last year and missed the cut. But his played has improved dramatically since then as his tour statistics and tournament performance show. "My golf swing definitely has improved, my short game has improved and my putting has improved," said Johnson, who skipped last week's Nationwide event in Chattanooga to spend the week in Cedar Rapids visiting family and friends. He will play this week's Nationwide even in Omaha. Now a resident of Lake Mary, Fla. Johnson, who was married earlier this year, said traveling the tour with his wife eases the strain of being on the road for much of the year. Winner of the Iowa State Open in both 2001 and 2002, Johnson turned pro in 1999 after playing college golf at Drake. In 2001 he was voted Player of the Year on the Hooters Tour, where he won three consecutive events as well as the money title. He won a fourth Hooters Tour event in 2002. He also has played on the Prairie Tour and the Tear Drop Tour, two other minor league golf circuits. He works with instructor Mike Bender of Lake Mary. "We,ve got my swing to the point where it's pretty consistent and I can fix it myself," Johnson said. "We broke it down about three years ago and built it back up and have established a solid foundation for my golf swing." |