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Zach Johnson Rebounds From Third Round Blues to Earn Green Jacket at The Masters
Zach Johnson rebounded from a 4-over 76 third round to fire a 3-under 69 on Sunday and earn not only his first green jacket at Augusta National, but his first major championship on the PGA Tour.
Johnson earned his Masters victory dropping three birdies on the back nine to build a valuable cushion between himself and his pursuers.
With a four-day total of 289, Johnson became just the third Masters champion to win the green jacket with a score above par. Johnson joins Sam Snead and Jack Burke as the only champions to win with a one-over.
Early on it looked as if Tiger Woods might win his fifth Master victory after taking the lead on a birdie on two but bogeys on six and ten opened the door for Johnson who birdied 13, 14 and 16 to put Woods in a position were he needed to birdie 17 and 18, holes he would eventually shoot par.
Heading into the Day it was Stuart Appleby who had the lead but a double bogey on one and another double on twelve ruined his aspirations of a Masters win. Appleby might have been able to make up for the doubles but failed to birdie a single hole in his fourth round.
Woods finished the day even and tallied a four-day total of 291 to tie with a pair of South Africans, Retief Goosen and Rory Sabbatini, for second place.
