Shin, Johnston & Lee Win Australian Open Titles
Jiyai Shin, Ryggs Johnston and Simon Seungmin Lee hoisted Australian Open trophies at Kingston Heath Golf Club over the weekend.
Shin, who owns 65 career titles worldwide, took out her second Women’s Australian Open by two shots over defending champion Ashleigh Buhai. Shin, the winningest Korean golfer of all-time, carded rounds of 69, 68, 67 and 70 to reach 17-under. The 36-year-old two-time major winner produced two eagles on Sunday and four birdies in her 3-under final round score.
Buhai, aged 35, was looking to make it three Australian Opens in a row. The South African got off to a sluggish start back on Thursday when she covered her first nine holes in 3-over. The 2022 Open champion at Muirfield, Scotland, bounced back with rounds of 68, 67 and a final round 5-under 68 to get to 15-under and solo second place. Hoyjin Yang from Korea claimed outright third place at 7-under. The 17-year-old amateur posted a solid 1-under 72 on Sunday.
Johnston, fired a stunning 4-under 68 final round to win the Men’s Australian Open by three shots. The 24-year-old from Montana, USA, recently turned professional and gained his DP World Tour card through the three stages of qualifying school. It was just his second start as a professional on the European circuit. Western Australian Curtis Luck took out solo second place at 15-under after posting a 4-under 68 on Sunday. Luck, aged 28, was tied for the lead late in the day, however, the 2016 US Amateur champion dropped two shots over the closing two holes. Marc Leishman and Jasper Stubbs shared third place at 14-under. Johnston, Luck and Leishman all earned a place in the field at next year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Lee from Korea blitzed the field to win the All Abilities Australian Open. In challenging conditions, Lee won at his G4D Tour debut by 14 shots with his 4-under total over 54 holes. Australia’s Wayne Perske and World No. 1 Kipp Popert shared second place at 10-over.
Final Scores
Women’s
1. Jiyai Shin -17
2. Ashleigh Buhai -15
3. Hyojin Yang (a) -7
T4. Grace Kim -6
T4. Hannah Green -6
Men’s
1. Ryggs Johnston -18
2. Curtis Luck -15
T3. Marc Leishman -14
T3. Jasper Stubbs -14
All Abilities
1. Simon Seungmin Lee -4
T2. Wayne Perske +10
T2. Kipp Popert (a) +10
