Tiger better run.
Two Wildcats – junior Tom Johnson and 2001 graduate Luke Donald – are on the prowl.
The former Northwestern men’s golf teammates are now in different stages of their golfing lives, one leading the Wildcats and the other foraging a career on the PGA Tour. But each is charting a successful course in his respective field.
At the 2002 U.S. Open in Long Island, N.Y., on June 16, Donald, who joined the Tour in 2001, made an impressive 18th-place finish. He has struggled on the PGA circuit but made one of his strongest professional showings at this major.
The top-20 finish also gave Donald his second-biggest cash prize to date – $68,995.
During the same weekend, Johnson finished strong in his first two summer competitions. In fact, his hectic schedule allowed no time for a visit home – he went straight to the East Coast after finishing his exams.
His respectable seventh- and fifth-place finishes at the Monroe Invitational in Rochester, N.Y., and the New England Amateur in Rhode Island are reflective of his last collegiate performance of the academic year.
The California native placed 86th at the NCAA men’s golf championships, which ended June 1. Johnson, who individually qualified for the tournament, finished the four-day event with his best round of the week, a 1-under 70, to finish 10-over for the competition. Johnson’s last 18 holes included three birdies and only two bogeys.
Although Johnson did not play as well as he hoped he would, the NCAA experience is important for any future appearances he might make.
“I went out there and played my best. I also wanted to see what the experience was all about,” he said. “Now I know for next year and the year after what to expect from this kind of tournament.”
With this accomplishment, Johnson finished the year just as he started it – leading the NU team. Throughout the year, he finished consistently with the team’s lowest scores. This past fall, he led the Cats in all four tourneys.
His prominence on the team has not gone unnoticed. This year, Golf World named him one of the country’s Top 50 College Players to Watch.
In fact, his growing list of golf accolades elicits comparisons to Donald. Earlier this season, head coach Pat Goss said Johnson was “as talented a player we’ve had here at Northwestern.”
The similarity between the two players is also in the numbers: Johnson finished the season with a stroke average (70.60) that trails Donald’s 1998-99 sophomore (70.45) and 1999-00 junior (70.48) averages by only tenths of a point.
“It is a huge compliment to be compared to Luke. It boosts my confidence and is definitely positive encouragement for me as a golfer,” he said.
In fact, Donald’s presence on the NU team was a reason Johnson chose to sign with the Cats three years ago.
“Luke was a big reason I came here. I wanted to see what the best in the country was really like,” he said. “Also, I thought that spending so many hours with him on the course each day would be a great learning experience for me.”
But Johnson did not foresee the pair’s friendship beyond the links.
With his own aspirations to play professional golf, Johnson values Donald not only as a friend but also as a mentor in the professional arena.
“I’m glad we’re friends because he is now going through all that I hope and want to one day be going through in the PGA Tour,” Johnson said.
After the U.S. Open, Donald is setting a high precedent.
“To finish like Luke did in the top 20 at a major is unbelievable,” Johnson said.
But with time and more tournament experience, Johnson hopes to one day arrive at Donald’s level.
“Luke is more refined than I am on the course. He’s like a veteran out there,” Johnson said. “But I still have a lot of growing to do and two more years at Northwestern to get to his level. I think I can get to that stage with a lot of hard work.”
Johnson’s concentration is now set on the upcoming season.
“As a golfer, I look to get better each year. I still haven’t won a college championship,” he said. “I am very anxious to break out.”
Let there be no mistake: This Wildcat is chasing a Tiger.
