Zach Johnson wins the 2015 British Open at St. Andrews
American golfer Zach Johnson (pictured above) won The Open at St. Andrews in a four hole play off outlasting South African Louis Oosthuizen and Australian Marc Leishman.
Johnson birdied his first two play off holes and then maintained his one-shot lead over Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner, who missed a birdie putt on the final playoff hole that would have forced a sudden-death playoff. It was Iowa born Johnson’s second major title Monday adding the win at the Old Course in St. Andrews to his 2007 Masters victory.
For much of the day all eyes were on Jordan Spieth (pictured above) who was challenging to become the second man ever to win the opening three majors in one year since Ben Hogan did it in 1953. Spieth ended up just one shot off the pace after a bogey at the 17th hole and a birdie putt on 18 just sailed just by the hole. Spieth ended the championship tied for fourth place with Jason Day who also missed a putt on the final green to take him into the play off.
Johnson had to make birdie on the final hole to even get into the playoff. It was a monstrous 22 foot putt that elicited a tremendous reaction from both Johnson and his caddie Damon Green that took him to -15 and a final score of 273 for the four rounds.
“I’m at a loss for words,” a tearful Johnson said after it was all over. “You don’t like to see a tournament end on a miss and Louis is a champion and a friend. But I’m grateful and humbled. I’m thankful. … I’m honored. This is the birthplace of the game. That jug means so much.”
Johnson now joins Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead as the only six golfers to win at both the Old Course and Augusta. He’s also only the 14th ever to win the Masters and The Open Championship.
