Ryggs Johnston of the United States waits to putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Credit: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Already exhausted from three stages of DP World Tour Q-School and last week’s season-opening Australian PGA, Johnston wasn’t afforded a practice round on Kingston Heath, site of the Aussie’s national open and only Johnston’s second career start as a DPWT member, because of inclement weather.

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.

Unheralded American Ryggs Johnston can barely believe the company he's now in after crashing the party with a stunning and most improbable Australian Open triumph in Melbourne.

Unheralded American Ryggs Johnston won his first professional title Sunday by closing with a 4-under 68 at Kingston Heath for a three-shot victory in the Australian Open. The Arizona State alum was among three players to earn a spot in the British Open.