Ryggs Johnston Wins Australian Open Golf Title

Ryggs Johnston, a 24-year-old American golfer from Libby, Montana, won the 2024 ISPS Handa Australian Open in only his second DP World Tour start, finishing three strokes ahead of Curtis Luck with a final score of 18-under. Johnston's victory was marked by an impressive final round 68 at Kingston Heath, despite challenging conditions and limited preparation due to weather. This win also secured him a spot in the 2025 Open Championship. Johnston, who was ranked 953rd in the world, became the first American to win the Stonehaven Cup since Jordan Spieth in 2016, joining a prestigious group of past winners including Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. His win is notable as it caps off a rapid rise in professional golf after navigating the Qualifying School and making his DPWT debut recently. The tournament also featured a concurrent Women's Australian Open, won by Jiyai Shin.