Zach Johnson is one of the golfers who celebrated at the Masters, back in 2007. The experienced golfer did not excel on the golf scene after that victory, but winning such a competition is a permanent mark and you will automatically gain fame with it
Appearing on the Bible Caddie podcast, Zach reminisced about the Champions Dinner, recalling the moment Arnold Palmer gave his speech.
Johnson reveals that Palmer was never a person who liked to stand out or communicate much.
“Probably the most impactful one, I don’t remember who was the champion then, it may have been Jordan’s evening. But it was the Spring before Arnold passed away. AP doesn’t say much, at least in my time. Granted, he has been in that room for decades,” Johnson said, as quoted by The Golfing Gazette.
“Gary Player would always say a little bit, Jack would occasionally, maybe Watson, Phil would crack a joke which was always fun.
But AP stood up and he did not say much. There wasn’t many words coming out of his mouth. But he talked about opportunity, how its a gift, about the game of golf and how much he loved it and how he loved the membership at Augusta National for having this event. It was different when he was competing. Members were playing practice rounds with these guys.”
Everyone shed a tear
To find yourself in the company of the legends of this sport is a special and unique moment that only the best from the world of golf experience.
Johnson had the honor of being across from the legend, who was already in serious years. Palmer’s speech awakened strong emotions in everyone, and if the words of the American golfer are to be believed, everyone in the room shed a tear.
“And not a dry eye! At this point we kind of all knew [it might be his last]. It was hard for him to stand up and it was hard for him to sit down. We just all applauded and that was it. That was the evening and it’s something I will never forget. It’s something I will cherish forever. It’s an evening I can’t believe I get to go back to.”- he said.
Tennis World USA