Zach Johnson is a long way from working for tips at Olive Garden. In fact, he could buy a couple franchises if he wanted.

It has been five years since Johnson’s victory in The Masters golf tournament, and five years since prize-winning writer Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated commented on the win.

“I won’t be surprised if Zach Johnson in 10 years will be waiting tables at Olive Garden,’’ Reilly said in 2007 on the Dan Patrick radio show.

Even in another five years, it won’t happen.

Johnson’s win in the 2007 Masters still arguably is the greatest individual sports achievement by a Metro area product. In team sports, fellow Regis graduate Kurt Warner probably would rank at the top for his Super Bowl MVP performance after the 1999 season with the St. Louis Rams.

Since his Masters victory, Johnson has amassed five more PGA tournament victories, two Presidents Cup appointments and a Ryder Cup appearance. His career line includes seven victories, 97 Top 25 finishes and more than $22 million in earnings.

Rick Reilly? He has been named National Sportswriter of the Year 11 times, has written 10 books ... and made at least one bad prediction.

Journalists are trained to be impartial observers, but I must admit to sitting on the edge of my seat as I watched Sunday’s action in the 2007 Masters. Johnson was in the top five after each of the first three rounds and stood two strokes back of Stuart Appleby after a windy and cold third round.

His supporters had migrated to Augusta, Ga. Friends, family, former financial contributors and his mentor, Elmcrest Country Club professional Larry Gladson, were in the gallery for the final round. The competition Johnson faced included Tiger Woods, one back entering the final round.

Johnson had a game plan that tournament of playing conservatively on the par-5s, never attempting to hit the green in two and relying on his wedge play and putter. It paid off as Johnson was 11-under on the par-5s.

On golf’s biggest stage, Johnson birdied three of his last six holes to shoot a final-round 69. But just as big was a chip-and-putt for par on the 18th hole after his second shot missed the green to the right.

Woods, playing two groups behind Johnson, and two others finished two strokes back. It marked the first time the great Tiger had not won a major championship after leading during the final round.

Reilly wrote in Sports Illustrated: “Say it out loud, Zach Johnson came from behind to beat Tiger Woods out of a Masters. Sort of like Lyle Lovett got Julia Roberts to marry him.’’

Perhaps the thing I appreciate the most about Zach Johnson is that he has not forgotten where he came from. He still follows his alma mater, Drake University, and is a huge Iowa football and basketball fan. Last year, he established the Zach Johnson Foundation to benefit local schools and children.

The first event held last August at Elmcrest drew an estimated 3,000 spectators and raised $1 million. That total included a $500,000 match of funds raised by Johnson and his wife, Kim.

As a past winner, Johnson has a lifetime exemption to play in The Masters. He will head up Magnolia Lane this week, hoping to stir up another successful mixture of shot making and putting.

Johnson would dearly love to win another major championship, but that is immaterial in the long run. He already has doused his detractors.

(Mark Dukes is former sports editor of the Cedar Rapid Gazette. He is co-host of The Gym Class radio show weekdays from 3-4 p.m. on KGYM-AM 1600 and FM-106.3.)