Thrilling Open play-off victory for Johnson
The Claret Jug flies off to America tonight nestled safely in the arms of Zach Johnson and his wife, Kim. The 2007 US Masters winner from Georgia has become only the ninth American ever to win The Open at St Andrews. He did it in great style too. It took a thrilling 4-hole play-off on the Old Course, in one of the longest Open Championships on record, before 39-year old Zach Johnson was crowned ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’.
Players from three different continents went into a head-to-head battle in the highly unusual Monday finish of The Open. Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa); Marc Leishman (Australia) and Zach Johnson (America) all finished on a score of 273, 15-under par. American Jordan Spieth, on-course for his third Major title in a row and another place in the modern-day history books, and an on-form Jason Day (Australia) also had their chances to join them. Their nail-biting quest went right down to the last two holes. They missed the play-off by a whisker.
Marc Leishman, who was tied 4th in last year’s Open, suffered a cruel blow on the first hole in the play-off when his ball rolled into a small divot costing him a bogey. Johnson and Oosthuizen made birdies. Although the Australian dug deep, he never managed to get a look in after that. Nothing seemed to go his way.
Johnson followed with another birdie at the second hole to take the lead. Surprisingly, he then pulled his second shot to the left at the third extra play-off hole, the 17th. From here an over-aggressive wedge shot from a tight lie saw his ball fly over the bunker and through the green. He had to be satisfied with a bogey. The others made bogey too as they both frustratingly three-putted from the front edge of the very long green. The plot had thickened, much to the delight of the gathered Monday crowds.
Marc Leishman digs deep at the 17th.
Valley of Sin
Still with the honour, Johnson sent his drive soaring down the fairway. Oosthuizen, winner of the last Open at St Andrews in 2010, followed. As you would expect, there was no holding him back. In the style of a true champion, Louis launched a colossal drive down the 356 yard, 18th hole, flying over the Valley of Sin to finish just short of the green.
It all came down to a putting contest and a test of patience on this, the last play-off hole. In front of thousands of fans in the grandstands and millions of television viewers worldwide, Johnson calmly (and bravely) sought a rules official to check out an imperfection on the green, right on his putting line. The discussion seemed to concern whether it was the remains of an old hole or not. Eventually it was agreed that he was able to repair the irregularity. He had made birdie at the last hole during every round this week, so this was his chance for victory.
Louis Oosthuizen in fighting spirit.
After what seemed an eternity, Johnson finally hit his putt. And missed. Oosthuizen now had his chance to make birdie and take the play-off as a sudden-death down the 18th again. With three birdies in three of his four rounds at the 18th, the odds were looking good for the South African. Yet his putt stayed agonisingly above ground too. It was all over. America’s Zach Johnson, and not fellow countryman Dustin Johnson, who had led the championship the first two days, was the Open Champion. Zach Johnson had won his second Major title with rounds of 66-71-70-66.
All in all, a remarkable week. As the emotional new champion said in his speech: “A week of patience, perseverance and trust.” He added: “I’m humbled and honoured to be your Champion Golfer of the Year”. Indeed, it was a very long week for everyone at the ‘Home of Golf’ in Scotland. But once again, a most memorable week at St Andrews filled with many magical and, soon to be, historical moments.
As the grandstands slowly emptied on what was now a gloriously sunny Scottish summer’s evening, the sound of bagpipes could be heard floating on the breeze saying a final farewell to the world’s best golfers and the loyal fans.
American amateur Jordan Nieubrugge proudly receives the Silver Medal.
Some players will be heading home a little richer than when they arrived. (Zach Johnson’s victory has earned him more than one and a half million euros in prizemoney.) Others will be feeling simply proud and honoured to have experienced the 144th Open Championship at St Andrews. Champions of the future like the five amateurs who made the cut. Especially 22-year old Paul Dunne from Ireland, the overnight sensation who soared to the top of the leader-board after shooting a 65 on Sunday while playing with Louis Oosthuizen. Alas, he did not go on to win the Silver Medal. American amateur, Jordan Nieubrugge had that honour with his incredible score of 277, 11-under par being good enough for a share of 6th place.
Back home, each and every one of them will have a lot of tales to tell their families and friends. Golfing tales which will keep the clubhouse buzzing for many years to come …
Wendy Hoad