When Titleist Brand Ambassador Jason Bohn tees it up at this week’s Zurich Classic, he will do so with a new appreciation for life. That tends to happen when one comes face-to-face with the alternative. You see, Bohn, who is one of the most-liked and outgoing players on the PGA TOUR, suffered a heart attack after making the cut at The Honda Classic on February 26. Rushed to the hospital following his second round, it was determined that Bohn’s left anterior descending artery was 99 percent blocked.
“I know I am very lucky, but I am feeling better than ever,” a smiling Bohn told Team Titleist on the driving range at TPC of Louisiana on Tuesday, while periodically being interrupted by some of his peers providing well wishes on his return.
“It has forced me to make some lifestyle changes regarding my eating habits and exercise,” added Bohn. “I’ve always stretched to get myself in ‘golf’ shape, but as much as we walk out here on a daily basis, we are not increasing our heart rate to the point we should with a good cardio workout. So I’ve been on a pretty strict diet and did a bunch of cardio therapy in preparation for my return and I am feeling stronger every day.”
Bohn was among the hottest players on TOUR to start the 2015-16 campaign, tying for 3rd at the season-opening Frys.com Open, followed by a T2 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. After a T39 at the Sanderson Farms Championship, he lost in a sudden death playoff at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. Even despite his setback after making the cut at The Honda Classic, Bohn enters the Zurich Classic ranked 29th in the FedExCup standings and it's a place that holds a special place in his healthier heart.
“It's weird when you come back to a place where you have won, even though it's been a long time,” said Bohn. “It's been six years, but I still remember every shot and I'm just really glad that I could have that experience again of showing up.”
And as Bohn reflected on those shots from his win, he stressed that it was his putting that vaulted him to victory in 2010.
“I remember I putted lights out that week. We had a lot of thunderstorms and a lot of delays, but it was a fun week. I started off my victory celebration with a dozen char-grilled oysters. I might not be able be to do that again if I win this week, but I might sneak a few.”
Despite its length – a 7,341 yard par 72 layout – look for the winner to be around 20-under par based on recent history. Last year’s 22-under 266 was the lowest winning score since 2004.
“It is all weather dependent as to what the winning score will be,” said Bohn, who posted an 18-under 270 victory total in his two-shot win. “If the wind blows here, it can really make things difficult. I think the keys are attacking the par 5’s and trying to go low on those when possible, and then playing conservative on some of the more difficult par 3’s. It is fun to watch down the stretch at this event because so many things can happen. It always makes for an exciting Sunday.”
So what are Bohn’s expectations for this week?
“My expectations the first week back were just to see how I handled golf again, emotionally and mentally more than physically. I thought the physical aspects were all going to be great, and I was right,” said Bohn. “But now it's golf time. I've got to get back on it. I'm still slightly rusty, but I've been working really hard on my game, and my expectations are much higher this week than they've been.”
Bohn went back to working on his short game under the watchful eye of his trusted caddie, Mitch Knox, returning to the usual camaraderie that he enjoys on a casual Tuesday on tour. But he now sees the bigger picture of life.
"Well, I definitely have a new outlook on a lot of things in life. The little things like hugging my kids, telling my wife I love her, calling my parents, telling them I love them. Those things I think have really kind of become the big things to me," said Bohn. "Those things have kind of cleared up to me, and golf is just my occupation, but I'm going to work really hard at it and stay with it.”
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While we were catching up with Jason, he gave us a tour of his Titleist staff bag, and shared some thoughts on the equipment he relies upon.
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1
The first feature I look for in a golf ball is feel. When I test the Pro V1 and Pro V1x options, I’ll take one or two of each and start by hitting shots into and around the green, where feel and spin performance is most important to me. I will continue to narrow my choices down as I hit shots going back to the tee. I am not a big numbers guy, but I will go on TrackMan after my play testing to confirm it is everything I saw and felt. I can confidently say that the Pro V1 is the best golf ball I’ve ever played.
Driver: Titleist 915D2 (9.5°) with Mitsubishi - Kurokage XT60 shaft, Fairway Metal: Titleist 915F (15°) with Mitsubishi - Kurokage XT70 shaft, Hybrid: Titleist 915Hd (20.5°) with Fujikura Speeder 904 shaft.
I put the 915 driver in play the first week they came out at Quicken Loans in June of 2014 and the matching fairway metals about a month later. I played the smaller 915D3 model driver until a little over a year ago when I switched to the 460cc 915D2 at Valspar. Once in a while I'll still mess around with the D3 in practice, which I happened to do this week. I've always liked the traditional look of the Titleist drivers, fairway metals and hybrids. The look and the set up at address gives me confidence off the tee and fairway. I am not considered very long compared to a lot of players out here. so I have to rely on my accuracy off the tee and greens in regulation to have success. Being in the fairway off the tee makes it a lot easier to hit greens in regulation!
Note: With an average driving distance of about 281 yards, Bohn finished 5th (71.5%) in Driving Accuracy last year and is 10th (70%) so far this year. He is also 19th in GIR at 70 percent this year.
Irons: Titleist 716 T-MB (4-PW) with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts
I put the new 716 T-MB’s in to play at the beginning of the 2015-16 season (at the Frys.com Open) and had immediate success. They fly a bit higher and longer than my 714 AP2’s, but I have seen the most improved performance when I miss hit a shot. I don’t lose as much distance and the dispersion is a lot tighter which keeps me in play when those situations happen. I really love the feel and the performance and my results speak for themselves.
Wedges: Vokey Design SM6 gap (50°), sand (54°) and lob (58°) wedges with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts
I put the new SM6’s in the bag as soon as they were available in Las Vegas last fall. It was an easy transition. I kept the same loft and bounce on each wedge. The improved performance is most notable in limiting ‘fliers’ and controlling shots out of the rough.
Putter: Scotty Cameron SC-350
Thanks, Jason, from everyone at #TeamTitleist. Welcome back and good luck this week in NOLA!
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Fast Facts:
Jason Bohn has two PGA Tour victories to his credit. In addition to his 2010 win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, he captured his first PGA Tour title at the 2005 B.C. Open. He also earned a win on the Web.com Tour, entering the winner's circle at the 2003 Chattanooga Classic.
Jason might have the best hole-in-one story on Tour. In 1992, while attending the University of Alabama, he made an ace to win $1 million in a Hole-in-One Shootout. The big payday prompted an early transition to the professional ranks. He received his final $50,000 payment on October 1, 2012.
Bonus Material:
Click here to see how Jason makes the unique heart-shaped mark on his Pro V1.
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