2023 USA Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has been blown away by some of the changes made to Colonial ahead of the 2024 Charles Schwab Classic.
The PGA Tour swings into Dallas this week in what is the first chance for the elite players to prepare for next month’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Max Homa, and Collin Morikawa are among the names set to tee it up on Thursday.
Johnson, who didn’t feature at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, is looking to build on his T20 finish at the Byron Nelson.
Ahead of Thursday’s first round, the 48-year-old was particularly impressed with some of the changes made to Colonial over the past year.
Zach Johnson loves what he’s seen at Colonial this year
Immediately after the 2023 edition, work began, and the Fort Worth course underwent its largest-ever renovation.
Work included a new irrigation system, updated greens and tee boxes, new bunkers and some of the greens being lowered.
And speaking to the Golf Channel, Johnson has loved what he’s seen so far.
Initially, Johnson admitted he was sceptical about the alterations. “I was pretty sceptical,” he said. “Coming here, it’s like a home to me: the golf course and the membership and community. I was a little on alert at the same time. You know the cliche ‘they don’t make them like they used to’? Well, that doesn’t hold true here.”
The 2023 USA Ryder Cup captain has claimed the work is going to benefit the members in the long term.
“It is really, really good,” he added. “I don’t know where you could be petty and say there’s something that needs to be changed. I am sure someone’s got an idea. I love it; I wish I was younger so I could play it more. I think it’s terrific. Obviously, for one week for us, it’s terrific; I think it’s going to be really good for the members.”
Colonial could prove a tough test this week
Last year, a score of eight-under took the title at Colonial. That kind of winning score in the modern-day game is reminiscent of major championship standards.
When Scheffler finishes T3 on seven under, you know the course has proven to be a challenge for those involved.
2022 wasn’t dissimilar, with Sam Burns edging out the 2024 Masters champion in a playoff after the duo finished on nine under.
2021 was the last time a score over ten under or better won the Charles Schwab, and considering the course is still getting used to its renovations, another tricky test could present itself this week.
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