American rookie Ryggs Johnston capped off a stellar performance at the Australian Open, clinching his maiden professional title with a composed final round of 68. On the women’s side, South Korea’s Shin Ji-yai claimed her 65th career title, overcoming a late surge from Ashleigh Buhai in a tense finale at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath.
Johnston’s Breakthrough Victory
The 23-year-old Johnston, who turned professional earlier this year, showcased remarkable poise under pressure. His round included an eagle, five birdies, and three bogeys, bringing his tournament total to 18-under-par. The victory secures Johnston an exemption to the 2024 British Open, a significant milestone in his fledgling career.
“I didn’t really have any expectations, which probably helped me in the end,” Johnston said. “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but it’s an amazing feeling.”
Johnston, named after Mel Gibson’s character Martin Riggs from the Lethal Weapon movies, outlasted a strong field, including Australian Curtis Luck, who finished three strokes behind, and Marc Leishman and Jasper Stubbs, who tied for third at four shots back.
Shin Ji-yai’s Nervy Finish
Veteran Shin Ji-yai displayed her wealth of experience, holding off a late charge from Ashleigh Buhai to win her second Australian Open title. Shin began the day two shots ahead of Australian Hannah Green and four clear of Buhai.
The former two-time British Open winner appeared to have the tournament wrapped up with a seven-stroke lead after 10 holes. However, Buhai mounted a fierce comeback, narrowing the gap to just two shots before ultimately settling for second place.
“I had a battle with Ashleigh, and I just tried to focus on my game,” Shin said. “It was not easy, but now I can breathe.”
Shin finished at 13-under-par, eight shots ahead of third-place finisher, 17-year-old amateur Yang Hyo-jin, who continued to impress after a standout performance earlier in the week.
The Australian Open’s mixed-format structure, with men and women teeing off in alternating groups on the same course, added another layer of intrigue.
Johnston and Lucas Herbert had entered the final day tied for the men’s lead, but Herbert struggled in challenging wet and breezy conditions. Meanwhile, Luck surged into contention with a red-hot putter but faltered with late bogeys on the 17th and 18th, leaving Johnston to seal the win with birdies on the 10th, 14th, and 15th holes.
For the women, Shin’s flawless early play contrasted sharply with Green’s front-nine collapse, as the Australian dropped six shots to fall out of contention.
Final Leaderboard Highlights
Men’s Tournament:
- Ryggs Johnston – 18-under
- Curtis Luck – 15-under
- Marc Leishman & Jasper Stubbs – 14-under
Women’s Tournament:
- Shin Ji-yai – 13-under
- Ashleigh Buhai – 11-under
- Yang Hyo-jin (Amateur) – 3-under
With both champions showcasing resilience and brilliance, the Australian Open once again lived up to its reputation as a premier event in global golf.
