"I was sticking to my game plan," Johnson said. "I didn't go for one par-5 in two, and I managed to make a lot of birdies on them. I knew if I just stayed in the present, kept rolling the ball ... it was my day I guess, pretty lucky."

Johnson played the par-5s in a "lucky" 11-under par during the week. His friends from the mini-tours call him back-to-back Zach, and on Sunday at the Masters, he made back-to-back birdies at Nos. 2 and 3, and back-to-back birdies at Nos. 13 and 14 to take command.

When Woods had a notion, when he made Amen Corner erupt with an eagle at No. 13, Johnson paid little attention. He didn't look at scoreboards until he reached No. 17. He never considered the possibilities, never considered the pratfalls. He was just a Midwest guy from Iowa, playing in the Masters.

"You know, I guess ignorance is bliss sometimes," Johnson said. "Comparing me to Tiger, obviously I've struggled. However, I feel like I've been pretty secure out here on the PGA Tour and to say that's a struggle, it's maybe a little misleading I think.

"More importantly, comparing myself to arguably the most phenomenal athlete, especially in golf, that the world has ever seen is, you know, I don't know, maybe a little misleading."

Cue the Andy Griffith Show theme: "At the same time, you know, I felt like I've been blessed and I'm good enough to, you know, take home a green jacket," he added. "At least, that's what I was trying to tell myself the entire time and fortunately it went in my favor."

When it was over and Johnson had his green jacket, he couldn't have been more charitable in his praise for family, friends, supporters and most importantly on Easter Sunday, the Lord. "I just feel very, very lucky and blessed," Johnson said. "

Of course, he does. He's a Midwest guy from Iowa and for this especially-hard Masters he was the perfectly soft solution.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

"Iowa is home," Johnson said. "That's where I started and ... whew ... I told myself I wouldn't get emotional ... You know, my mom is there now, so I just ... thank everybody back in Cedar Rapids.

Only problem is, Zach Johnson isn't just a Midwest guy from Iowa anymore. From this day forward, he is the 2007 Masters champion.

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