Early Start on Course Works in His Favor

NEWPORT BEACH â€”  John Johnson’s biggest advantage Saturday at the Taco Bell Newport Classic Pro-Am was that he started three shots off the lead.

His first-round 68 at Newport Beach Country Club worked to his advantage, because he had an earlier tee time than the leaders and was able to complete most of his round before the steady rain started.

Johnson, a Nike Tour player from Ventura, shot five-under-par 66 and won by one shot over Craig Kanada of The Woodlands, Texas. Johnson won $20,000 and Kanada received $14,000.

Kanada, who started about 30 minutes after Johnson, played the last six holes in difficult conditions because of the rain. He still managed to make a birdie at the par-four 16th, then made par at the par-three 17th. He needed a birdie at the par-five 18th to force a playoff. But the usually easy 510-yard uphill hole was made very difficult by the increasing rain and wind.

Kanada’s third shot was about 25 feet from the hole but had to be moved because of standing water on the green. His putt for a birdie went about four feet past the hole.

“The last six holes got pretty nasty,� Kanada said. “With all the wind and rain it was pretty difficult. I had a shot at it, but it wasn’t too realistic.�

Johnson had four birdies and a bogey on the front nine, then hit outstanding approach shots at Nos. 10 and 11, both par fours. Each shot set up a birdie. He made a two-foot putt at No. 10, then from about two inches at No. 11. He saved par with a 15-footer at No. 12, then gave a shot back with a bogey at the par-three 13th. He hit his tee shot in the front bunker. “Worst swing of the day,� he said.

Johnson made his last birdie (on a five-foot putt) at the par-five 15th, then made three pars in the increasing rain.

“It feels pretty good,� he said. “It’s much better to be back in the clubhouse.�

It was the biggest payday as a golfer for Johnson, who is a graduate of Brigham Young. He won $10,000 for finishing third at the Queen Mary Open last year. He can use this money to help recover from the loss he suffered two weeks ago when his car was stolen with three sets of clubs in the trunk.

“This will make for a nice down payment,� he said.

Dennis Paulson, a Vista resident and graduate of Costa Mesa High, shot 68 both days for a total of 136, which was good for third place. He earned $10,000.

Jeff Hart, who shot 66 Friday, had 71 Saturday and finished fifth. Brian Kontak, the first-round leader with a 65, followed with 74 and tied for eighth.

Perry Parker, a former UC Irvine standout, and Esteban Toledo of Costa Mesa finished with four others in a tie for 11th. Parker shot 73 and Toledo 71 Saturday.

R.W. Eaks, a two-time winner at the tournament, had 72 and finished at 141, tied for 17th. Eric Woods of Newport Beach shot 75 after opening with a 67 and finished in a tie for 25th.