MELBOURNE, Australia — Ryggs Johnston went around the world for a golf opportunity he didn’t waste.
Because of that, he’ll go home a winner.
Johnston, an unheralded American player, celebrated his first professional victory Sunday with a three-stroke triumph in the Australian Open, while South Korea’s Jiyai Shin became a two-time winner of the Women’s Australian Open, which was played concurrently at two courses on the famed Melbourne Sandbelt.
The tournaments had alternating tee times — and equal prize money for the second consecutive year — at the par-72 Kingston Heath Golf Club (where par was 73 for the women) and par-71 Victoria Golf Club. Kingston Heath hosted the final two rounds after rotating with Victoria for the opening two rounds.
Johnston shot a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to finish at 18-under 269 and hold off Australia’s Curtis Luck (68), who had briefly taken the lead on the final stretch but wound up second.