Zach Johnson wins 2026 Principal Charity Classic at home in Iowa

Zach Johnson won the 2026 Principal Charity Classic on Sunday in his home state of Iowa, closing with a 5-under 67 for a four-stroke victory at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. The two-time major champion finished at 17-under 199 in his debut in the event, holding off Richard Green and Retief Goosen, who tied for second at 13 under.

The win was the second of Johnson’s first season on PGA Tour Champions, the 50-and-over circuit, and it came in front of a hometown crowd. Johnson grew up in Cedar Rapids, about two hours from Des Moines, and his first appearance at the Principal Charity Classic could hardly have gone better.

How Zach Johnson won the 2026 Principal Charity Classic

Johnson built his cushion on Saturday, firing a 63 to share the 36-hole lead, then closed the door with a steady 67 over the 54-hole event. He opened with a 69, climbed with the Saturday charge, and never gave the lead back on Sunday, pulling away to a comfortable four-shot margin.

Green, who shot a closing 68, and Goosen, who carded a 70, could not make up the ground. Johnson’s 17-under total over three rounds was the kind of bogey-light golf that built his reputation across a long PGA Tour career, including his wins at the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open Championship.

What Zach Johnson‘s win means going forward

The result confirms Johnson as a fast riser on PGA Tour Champions. Two wins in a debut senior season put him among the circuit’s most reliable contenders, and that matters for betting and matchup markets, where recent form and proven closing ability carry real weight on the over-50 tour. He now profiles as a live outright and a tough head-to-head opponent in the senior majors and signature stops ahead this summer.

For DFS-minded players who follow the senior circuit, Johnson’s elite iron play and short game translate well to the parkland setups that dominate the schedule, making him a steady building block rather than a boom-or-bust dart. The hometown win should only add to the momentum.

For another recent PGA Tour Champions result, see Darren Clarke and Ben Crane winning the 2026 American Family Insurance Championship.

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Frequently asked questions

How many rounds is the Principal Charity Classic?

The Principal Charity Classic is a 54-hole event on the PGA Tour Champions, played over three rounds at Wakonda Club in Des Moines, Iowa, with no cut.

Is Zach Johnson from Iowa?

Yes. Johnson grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, about two hours from Des Moines, which made his Principal Charity Classic title a true hometown win.

How many PGA Tour Champions wins does Zach Johnson have in 2026?

The Principal Charity Classic was his second victory in his first season on the 50-and-over tour.

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