Iowa native Zach Johnson captures Principal Charity Classic title at 17-under in tournament debut
ZACH JOHNSON PLAYED WAKONDA CLUB IN DES MOINES THIS WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE PLAYED AT DRAKE, AND HE TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE AT THE PRINCIPAL CHARITY CLASSIC. HERE’S KCCI’S SHANNON EHRHARDT, ZACH JOHNSON SAID I TRY TO PLAY WITHOUT EMOTION, BUT IT’S IMPOSSIBLE IN IOWA. THAT’S WHY THE TWO WORDS OUT OF HIS MOUTH ONCE HE WON THE PRINCIPAL CHARITY CLASSIC HERE WAS HOLY COW, YOUR PRINCIPAL CHARITY CLASSIC CHAMPION CAME INTO THE FINAL ROUND IN THE LAST GROUP OF THE DAY. HE WAS IN A THREE WAY TIE FOR THE LEAD. ZACH JOHNSON ENDED UP 17 UNDER FOUR SHOTS UP FROM THE REST OF THE FIELD. HE HAD SEVEN BIRDIES, JUST TWO BOGEYS, AND HE SHOT FIVE UNDER ON THE DAY, THE BEST OF ANY GOLFER IN HIS FIRST ATTEMPT AT THE PRINCIPAL CHARITY CLASSIC, THE HOMETOWN HERO COMPLETES THE FEEL GOOD STORY. HE BECOMES JUST THE FOURTH PERSON TO EVER WIN IN THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE AT THE PRINCIPAL CHARITY CLASSIC. IT’S HARD TO FULLY GRASP AND ENCOMPASS ALL THE EMOTION OF IT OTHER THAN PURE GRATITUDE AND BLISS. I DON’T KNOW HOW ELSE TO REALLY EXPLAIN IT. THIS IS. THIS WAS A WEEK WHERE MANAGING MY EMOTIONS WAS, WAS, WAS IMPERATIVE AND KEY. AND, YOU KNOW, FOR THE MOST PART I DID THAT. I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE SAID IT WEDNESDAY. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I HADN’T EVEN TEED OFF YET, RIGHT? BUT I KIND OF FELT LIKE I WON. CERTAINLY FELT LIKE I WON BEFORE I EVEN PLAYED TODAY. ALMOST FELT LIKE I WON BEFORE THE WEEK STARTED. I MEAN, IF YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DO WHAT I LOVE TO DO IN THIS STATE, IN THIS TOWN, ON THIS GOLF COURSE, I MEAN, EVERYTHING AFTER, THAT’S JUST KIND OF ICING ON THE CAKE. AND THAT GIVES YOU A LOT OF PEACE. IT GIVES YOU A LOT OF FREEDOM. AND IN THIS SPORT, FREEDOM IS GREAT. FREE GOLF IN SOME REGARDS. AND YOU KNOW, I LOVE THOSE FEELINGS. I HOPE I CAN PUT THOSE IN MY POCKET AND CARRY THEM WITH ME FOR A MINUTE. IF YOU’RE WONDERING ABOUT ZACH’S CELEBRATION PLANS, HE TELLS ME THAT HE PLANS TO CELEBRATE WIT
Iowa native Zach Johnson captures Principal Charity Classic title at 17-under in tournament debut
Updated: 9:33 PM CDT Jun 14, 2026
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In his first appearance at the Principal Charity Classic, Iowan Zach Johnson posted a final round 5-under 67 to win. Johnson worked around bogeys on the first and 14th holes and sank six birdie putts Sunday. Johnson finished 17-under in the three-round tournament, winning by four strokes. Johnson got an ovation as he walked onto the 18th green after getting out of the bunker to set up a birdie putt.Richard Green (68) and Retief Goosen (70) tied for second. David Bransdon (71) and Brett Quigley (72) were 12 under.Johnson is just the fourth player to win the Principal Charity Classic in his first appearance, following Jim Thorpe (2001), Jay Haas (2007) and Scott McCarron (2016).In taking first place, Johnson wins $300,000.WATCH: Zach Johnson wins 2026 Principal Charity Classic in Des MoinesDay 2 of the Principal Charity Classic saw Johnson card a 9-under-par 63 and jump to the top of the leaderboard. Johnson, the Iowa native and former Drake golfer, was 12-under for the tournament, tied for the lead with Brett Quigley and Scott Hend after the second day. Johnson finished 3-under-par 69 Friday in his debut at the Principal Charity Classic. Johnson, an Iowa native and former Drake golfer, was tied for 22nd heading into Day 2 at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. More Principal Charity Classic coveragePrincipal Charity Classic: Wakonda Club showcases challenging holes and dramatic elevationsPrincipal Charity Classic: Agronomists use science to prepare greens at Wakonda ClubPrincipal Charity Classic: Daisy May helps keep wildlife off Wakonda Club’s golf courseNorwalk boy to receive adaptive bike at Principal Charity ClassicPrincipal Charity Classic: Zach Johnson’s favorite sandwich honored at Des Moines deliWATCH: 1-on-1 with Zach JohnsonPCC Champions through the years2026: Zach Johnson2025: Miguel Angel Jiménez2024: Ernie Els2023: Stephen Ames2022: Jerry Kelly2021: Stephen Ames2020: Tournament canceled due to COVID-192019: Kevin Sutherland2018: Tom Lehman2017: Brandt Jobe2016: Scott McCarron2015: Mark Calcavecchia2014: Tom Pernice Jr.2013: Russ Cochran2012: Jay Haas2011: Bob Gilder2010: Nick Price2009: Mark McNulty2008: Jay Haas2007: Jay Haas» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
DES MOINES, Iowa —
In his first appearance at the Principal Charity Classic, Iowan Zach Johnson posted a final round 5-under 67 to win. Johnson worked around bogeys on the first and 14th holes and sank six birdie putts Sunday.
Johnson finished 17-under in the three-round tournament, winning by four strokes. Johnson got an ovation as he walked onto the 18th green after getting out of the bunker to set up a birdie putt.
Richard Green (68) and Retief Goosen (70) tied for second. David Bransdon (71) and Brett Quigley (72) were 12 under.
Johnson is just the fourth player to win the Principal Charity Classic in his first appearance, following Jim Thorpe (2001), Jay Haas (2007) and Scott McCarron (2016).
In taking first place, Johnson wins $300,000.
WATCH: Zach Johnson wins 2026 Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines
Day 2 of the Principal Charity Classic saw Johnson card a 9-under-par 63 and jump to the top of the leaderboard. Johnson, the Iowa native and former Drake golfer, was 12-under for the tournament, tied for the lead with Brett Quigley and Scott Hend after the second day.
Johnson finished 3-under-par 69 Friday in his debut at the Principal Charity Classic. Johnson, an Iowa native and former Drake golfer, was tied for 22nd heading into Day 2 at Wakonda Club in Des Moines.
More Principal Charity Classic coveragePrincipal Charity Classic: Wakonda Club showcases challenging holes and dramatic elevationsPrincipal Charity Classic: Agronomists use science to prepare greens at Wakonda ClubPrincipal Charity Classic: Daisy May helps keep wildlife off Wakonda Club’s golf courseNorwalk boy to receive adaptive bike at Principal Charity ClassicPrincipal Charity Classic: Zach Johnson’s favorite sandwich honored at Des Moines deli
WATCH: 1-on-1 with Zach Johnson
PCC Champions through the years2026: Zach Johnson2025: Miguel Angel Jiménez
2024: Ernie Els2023: Stephen Ames2022: Jerry Kelly2021: Stephen Ames2020: Tournament canceled due to COVID-192019: Kevin Sutherland2018: Tom Lehman2017: Brandt Jobe2016: Scott McCarron2015: Mark Calcavecchia2014: Tom Pernice Jr.2013: Russ Cochran2012: Jay Haas2011: Bob Gilder2010: Nick Price2009: Mark McNulty2008: Jay Haas2007: Jay Haas
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play