Why being content on the PGA Tour is ‘dangerous,’ according to Zach Johnson

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

The 48-year-old PGA Tour veteran is playing the John Deere for the 22nd time, and has seven top-5s in the event on his resume, including a win in 2012 and three runner-ups.

The U.S. Ryder Cup captain is one of the game’s elder statesman, and at his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, he was asked about a range of topics, from what it feels like to compete against teenagers to the state of his jump shot.

But Johnson, whose last win was the 2015 Open Championship, was particularly revelatory when he spoke about the importance of maintaining a strong drive for improvement.

“I think maybe we’re talking semantics here, but content, at this level can be kind of dangerous,” he said. “Obviously you want to win. That’s why you enter a tournament. Not anything but that, right?

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“But content goes hand in hand with maybe maintenance, and the more and more my mind has resolved around those notions I feel like I go astray,” he continued. “So what I’m alluding to is I’m always trying to improve. Doesn’t matter what age I am, where I’m at. This is going to sound pretty boring, but this is the way I operate. This week is a way for me to improve for the next week, and next week is a way to improve for the 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 wins as he got older. For Johnson, the drive to improve is a major priority — perhaps even more so as he ages.

“The moment I lose sight of that is a moment I’m going to get really lapped and I will probably not be playing much,” he said. “I’m fallen into that, mind you, what you’re saying. We’re getting into semantics. Content is not a negative word. Yeah, we’re good. You know, no, I want to get better. Whatever that may be. On and off the golf course there is room to get better and be more efficient, effective with my time, my body, my mind, all that.

“So I’m still learning at 48,” he continued. “I’ve had peers of mine out here at 48 and said the same thing. Some of those guys had amazing careers between the age of 40 to 50, 45 to 50 even. Shoot, some of them had careers between 45 and 50. Like, oh, my gosh. But the game has changed. It’s definitely gotten younger. I don’t know what the age was then and where it is now. That part doesn’t really matter much. But guys are just more ready.”

Johnson has made the cut at the John Deere is his last 15 appearances. He’ll play alongside Jordan Spieth and J.T. Poston on Thursday and Friday in an attempt to keep that streak alive.