Boca Raton, Florida – Zach Johnson entered Sunday with a one-stroke lead over George McNeill and Steve Allan. In the end, Johnson fired a three-under par 69 for a four-shot victory in the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational at Broken Sound’s Old Course. Johnson, the 2007 Masters and 2015 Open Championship winner, became only the 22nd player to win on his Champions Tour debut and the first since Tommy Gainey last year at the 2025 Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS event in Jacksonville. Johnson just recently became eligible for the senior circuit, turning 50 on February 24th.
Johnson made only one bogey in an otherwise clean round, adding four birdies to separate from challengers Stewart Cink and George McNeill.
“Staying in modest shape to play with these guys … because it’s still really good golf, highly competitive on a phenomenal track, I am humbled,” Johnson said. “I am extremely excited, and I have been excited. The first moment I stepped foot on these premises, I was like, ‘Hey, this is special.’”
The victory was ZJ’s first since The Open Championship at St. Andrews. He was the United States Ryder Cup Captain at Marco Simone in 2023, losing to Europe. Johnson finished at 11-under 205 and earned $330,000 to move to No. 3 in the Charles Schwab Cup. Cink remains atop the standings.
Pádraig Harrington had the round of the day, posting seven birdies enroute to a closing 65 to tie for 4th place – finishing at 6 under-par with fellow Europeans Jamie Donaldson and Alex Cejka.
In the tournament’s Pro Football Hall of Fame competition, former Chicago Bears offensive tackle Jimbo Covert was victorious with a net score of 1-under (143). Lawrence Taylor (145) was second at +1. DeMarcus Ware and Marshall Faulk tied for third at 2-over (146).
