Zach Johnson has seen it all on the PGA Tour. But his transition to the 50-and-over circuit has revealed a new reality. Johnson says one adjustment in particular truly caught him by surprise.

Speaking about those changes, Johnson appeared on the Trey Wingo Golf podcast two days ago, where he admitted with a laugh:

“The biggest difference was, do I take a cart or do I walk?”

Johnson made his PGA Tour Champions debut in March 2026 at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational. However, it's meant that he will have to tweak a few parts of his routine.

"The cadence, the rhythm of the week, I know, depending upon what the tournament was or is, you know, what time my pro-am time will likely be on Wednesday. I know what I’m doing Monday through Wednesday to prepare for Thursday through Sunday on the PGA Tour. It’s like I don’t even have to tell my caddie. It’s such a routine and, I would say, a very harmonious rhythm that it just happens.”

The two tours also differ in format, course setup, and field size. PGA Tour events are standard 72-hole tournaments played from Thursday to Sunday with a cut after 36 holes. PGA Tour Champions events are generally 54 holes played from Friday to Sunday, although the tour’s five major championships follow a 72-hole format.

He noted that he is still working out the physio side, explaining that during his PGA Tour years, he often traveled with individuals who helped him manage his body and avoid injuries. 

As he settles into the Champions Tour, he said he is figuring out how to handle that support again. At the same time, the playing schedule is different, as he may not compete in multiple programs each week. He is still finalizing his weekly schedule, including travel days and practice routines.

While Johnson is still adjusting to the new structure, his start on the PGA Tour Champions has already produced results.

Zach Johnson Balances PGA Tour Champions and Select PGA Tour Starts

Twelve-time PGA Tour winner Zach Johnson finished at 11-under par and won by four shots over Stewart Cink and George McNeill in his debut.

The win was his first professional victory since the 2015 Open Championship. He earned $330,000 and moved to No. 3 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

For this season, Johnson plans to play a full schedule on the PGA Tour Champions while entering a few PGA Tour events. 

He is scheduled to compete in the Cologuard Classic and the Hoag Classic. As a past champion, he is also expected to return to Augusta National for the 2026 Masters.

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar