You can search the list of world-class golfers and find no player with a greater appreciation for what Zach Johnson has accomplished than Vaughn Taylor.

Zach Johnson keeps the photograph of his 2006 Ryder Cup team, which also included Augusta native Vaughn Taylor, in his Orlando, Fla., home. (Michael Snyder/Staff)

They are as close to mirror images on the PGA Tour as you can get.

"I was right there with him," Taylor said of both his place in the Sunday twosome and his major opportunity at the 2007 Masters. "It could have been me that day that shot 69."

Taylor had the best view in the house for what he later called "one of the most amazing rounds of golf I've ever seen." But he's been watching the show for eight years.

The career paths of Taylor and Johnson are similar right down to the fact that neither was recruited by any school but their nearest small Division I programs.

"Our roads to now have been pretty parallel," Johnson said.

More like the same rails. They met in 2000 playing the Hooters Tour, where each won four times. Taylor introduced Johnson to his putting coach (Pat O'Brien) and putter brand (See-More), which they've both used since. They share the same agent (Brad Buffoni).

They each made their breakthrough via playoffs on the Nationwide Tour in 2003, Johnson winning his second start en route to Player of the Year honors while Taylor won his fifth start on the way to earning his card.

The next year they won as PGA Tour rookies, Johnson in Atlanta and Taylor in Reno, Nev. -- regular events they've each won again. They both qualified for the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2006.

"It's been a fun ride for both of us," Taylor said. "We've come a long ways. Zach's always kind of edged me out. He's won quicker than I did. He's been a step ahead even though we've been on the same path. Hopefully, I can keep following his footsteps."

Taylor also introduced Johnson to the Masters, scoring tickets for a handful of his mini-tour friends who were playing an event in the region. They saw Tiger Woods win in 2002.

And after all that shared history, Johnson and Taylor ended up tied at 4-over par and sharing the same tee time on Masters Sunday just two groups in front of the final pairing.

It proved to be a fortunate stroke of comfort to Johnson.

"Vaughn is a quiet kid and a laid-back guy -- an easy guy to hang out with and fun to be around, especially once you get to know him," Johnson said.

While Taylor was wrapped up in his own quest to win his hometown major, it reached a point where his chances closed. Then it became easier to marvel at what Johnson was doing beside him.

"I'd say the last three holes I was watching him," Taylor said. "When he made that putt on 16 I was like, 'Wow, Zach. Are you kidding me? Are you really doing this?' And he was. I couldn't believe he was doing it. It was pretty amazing."

Any envy was overshadowed by sincere appreciation for what the man on the other side of the same mirror did.

"I was really happy for him," Taylor said. "I knew how much it meant to him. I know how hard he works. I couldn't have been happier for anybody else."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.