Why content on the PGA Tour is 'dangerous'

At this week's John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., Zach Johnson is the fan favorite.

The 48-year-old PGA Tour veteran is playing the John Deere for the 22nd time, and has seven career bests at the event, including a win in 2012 and three runner-up finishes.

The US Ryder Cup captain is one of the sport's oldest players, and at a pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, he was asked about a range of topics, from what it's like to compete against youngsters to his jumping status.

But Johnson, fresh off his 2015 Open Championship win, was more forthcoming when he spoke about the importance of maintaining a strong drive to improve.

“I think we're probably talking about semantics here, but content, at this level can be dangerous,” he said. “Obviously he wants to win. That's why you enter the competition. Nothing but that, right?

“But the content is probably related to the maintenance, and when my mind keeps resolving about those ideas I feel like I'm going astray,” he continued. “So what I'm pointing out is that I'm always trying to improve myself. It doesn't matter how old I am, where I am. This is going to sound boring, but this is how I work. This week is a way for me to improve next week, and next week is a way for me to improve next week.”

That answer was in response to a question about Johnson's level of satisfaction with finishing in the top 10 or top 25 versus measuring success by winning as he gets older. For Johnson, the desire to improve is very important – perhaps even more so as he gets older.

“When I lose sight of that I'll be very caught up and probably won't play as much,” he said. “I fell into that, remember what you say. We're getting into semantics. Content is not a bad word. Yes, we are ready. You know, no, I want to be better. Whatever that is. On and off the golf course there is room to get better and work better, work better with my time, my body, my mind, all of that.

“So I'm still learning at 48,” he continued. “I've been with other people my age here when I'm 48 and they say the same thing. Some of those guys had amazing careers that spanned 40 to 50 years, 45 to 50 years even. Shoot, some of them had between 45 and 50 jobs. Like, oh, my god. But the game has changed. It has definitely become smaller. I don't know what the age was then and where it is now. That part doesn't matter much. But the boys are more ready.”

Johnson has stopped John Deere in his last 15 games. He will play alongside Jordan Spieth and JT Poston on Thursday and Friday in an attempt to keep that alive.

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia's first varsity golf class, Jessica knows how to outrun everyone on the golf course. He can pass them through the office, too, where he is primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF's first Style Issue, which began in February 2018. His first interview series, “A Round With,” released in November 2015, and appeared in both magazine and video form on GOLF.com.