Zach Johnson wins British Open in playoff

ST ANDREWS, Scotland - American Zach Johnson claimed the second major victory of his career when he beat Australian Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa in a four-hole playoff at the British Open on Monday.

Johnson, who won the US Masters in 2007, was one under par for the extra holes. Oosthuizen was level par and Leishman two over.

The 39-year-old wiped tears from his eyes before hugging his wife as he walked off the 18th green to pick up the coveted Claret Jug and a first prize of 1.15 million pounds ($1.79 million).

One of the first to congratulate Johnson was fellow American Jordan Spieth who failed by one stroke to make the playoff after a day of fluctuating fortunes.

Spieth, 21, bidding to become the first player since compatriot Ben Hogan in 1953 to land the opening three majors of the year, finished with a three-under 69 for 274, 14 under.

Johnson (66), Leishman (66) and Oosthuizen (69) ended the regulation 72 holes on 15 under.

Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who went into the final round in a tie for the lead, slumped to a closing 78 and had to make do with a share for 30th position on 282.

It was only the second time the championship had finished on a Monday after heavy rain and strong winds caused havoc earlier in the tournament. — Reuters

Sizzling Johnson in early tie for John Deere lead

Former champion and 'local' favorite Zach Johnson charged into a share of the early lead with a sizzling, bogey-free display in Thursday's (Friday, PHL time) opening round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

Winner of the PGA Tour event in 2012, the 38-year-old fired an eight-under-par 63 in ideal scoring conditions at the TPC Deere Run to end the round level with fellow American Brian Harman and South African Rory Sabbatini.

Johnson, with his driving and renowned short game in sparkling order, covered his outward nine in an explosive six-under 30 to raise thoughts of a possible 59 but he picked up just two more shots after the turn.

American Todd Hamilton, surprise winner of the 2004 British Open held at Royal Troon, and Australian Steve Bowditch opened with 64s while Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge and American Kevin Tway carded 65s.

Johnson, who was born just 90 miles away in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has recorded top-three finishes in four of his last five starts in his "hometown" event, was delighted with his opening round.

"Extremely pleased," the 11-times PGA Tour winner told Golf Channel. "The word of the day for (his caddie) Lance (Bennett) and me was opportunity and I had a lot of opportunities.

"I missed just three greens but I putted on two of them. So I put myself into position to make birdies, I put myself into position basically to eliminate the big numbers, certainly even a bogey.

"Everything was really solid," said Johnson. "I drove it great, a couple of iron shots I'd like to have back but nothing significant. I actually had a couple more putts that could have dropped but I'm not complaining."

Asked whether he had thoughts of shooting a 59 after getting to eight under after 11 holes, Johnson replied: "It hit me. I'm like, 'How many holes have we played, how many under am I?' That kind of thing.

"But over shots and in the routine of shots - nothing. I hit a lot of really, really good shots that ended up probably 20, 25 feet away but this course, you've got to respect it.

"There are some (pin) placements out there where it's hard to be aggressive at. I had some (birdie) looks certainly on eight and five that came up a little bit curvey. But, for the most part, it was really solid."

American Jordan Spieth, who won last year's John Deere Classic in his rookie season to become at 19 the youngest player to triumph on the PGA Tour since 1931, was among the late starters on Thursday. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com