World No. 954 Ryggs Johnston surprised the rest of the leaderboard by claiming a shock three-shot victory at the ISPS Handa Australian Open while South Korea’s Shin Ji-yai took home the women’s title for the second occasion in the dual-gender event.
The 24-year-old American rookie, who only turned professional earlier this year, came into the final round of the men’s event tied for the lead alongside Australia’s Lucas Herbert and two shots clear of the rest of the pack. In wet and windy conditions at Kingston Heath in Melbourne, Johnston made eagle and birdie in two of his three holes as he started the final round positively, however the Montana native faltered slightly with three bogeys on the front nine.
Another Australian, Curtis Luck, was a player who looked to capitalize as he entered the lead with a birdie at the 14th. But Johnston roared back with a birdie of his own at the 14th and another at the 15th where he re-took the lead.
Luck’s hopes of winning then crumbled with consecutive bogeys at the 17th and 18th which all but sealed victory for Johnston who went onto card a final round 68 to end the tournament on 18 under and claim the Stonehaven Cup.
“I turned up pretty tired already from the all travel, Q- school and everything,” said Johnston.
“I couldn’t get a practice round [at Kingston Heath] with the weather. I didn’t really have any expectations and it probably helped in the end.
As a result of this victory, in only his second start of the DP World Tour, Johnston, who is named after Martin Ryggs, the fictional character played by Mel Gibson in the Lethal Weapon movies, has received exemption to next year’s Open Championship, an opportunity he is looking forward to.
“It feels great, just knowing that (it brings) more playing opportunities and getting into bigger events. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet but it’s an amazing feeling.”
While in the women’s event, Shin Ji-yai held her nerve to fend off a late fightback from defending champion Ashleigh Buhai to earn a second Australian Open title.
The 36-year-old seemed to be cruising towards victory as she found herself with a seven-shot lead during one of the final round but South Africa’s Buhai, who has won this event in the past two years, stormed into contention thanks to five birdies and a single bogey on the final stretch. But the South Korean veteran remained calm by going onto sink a crucial putt at the last to end on 17 under and claim a two-shot victory with what is her 65th professional title.
“Now I can breathe,” Shin said. “I only had one Australian Open trophy so I am really excited for this next one, especially at this golf course at Kingston Heath.
“I lost in 2008 to Karrie Webb so now I feel much better.”
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour is the Nedbank Golf Challenge taking place between 5-8 December at the Gary Player GC in South Africa.