NEWS

Johnson plans first golf trip to Asia, after years of trying to fit his schedule

By Doug Ferguson
Published on
Johnson plans first golf trip to Asia, after years of trying to fit his schedule

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Zach Johnson will lose a distinction in May when he plays the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea. Johnson in the only American from the top 50 in the world ranking who has not played anywhere overseas except the British Open over the last two years.

And he was aware of that.

"I haven't gone overseas that much," Johnson said. "It fits in my schedule. It's a good opportunity and I want to do more of it. I don't want to be labeled as the guy who won't leave the country. For one, it's inaccurate."

Johnson has had plenty of chances, especially after his 2007 win at the Masters. His son was 3 months old when he won his first major, and he had another son in the summer of 2010 and a third child last November. The time to travel was at the end of the year when he was tired and wanted to be with his family.

"It's never really meshed with my schedule," he said. "I'm taking Charlotte (Quail Hollow) off for the first time, so I'll go to Korea."

Johnson said the one European Tour event he has always wanted to play is the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

"But it's the same week as Colonial, and I can't not play there," he said. Johnson is defending this year at Colonial, a tournament he has won twice.