Zach Johnson Wins Playoff For British Open, Niebrugge Top Amateur, Ties For Sixth

Jordan Niebrugge

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- It was only fitting that the 144th British Open would go down to a playoff, where Zach Johnson emerged as the unlikely champion.

Throughout the afternoon, everyone from Johnson to Louis Oosthuizen to Marc Leishman Wall to Padraig Harrington to Jordan Spieth to Jason Day to Paul Dunne took a turn at the top of the leaderboard.

No one was in control, everyone hanging on. Eventually the course whittled the contenders down to three: Johnson, Leishman and Oosthuizen.

Johnson needed a lengthy birdie putt to drop on 18 just to get into the playoff. When it did, his caddy broke into a bird dance as Johnson crouched to his knees, pumping his fist, knowing he had a chance. Ooshuizen needed a birdie at 18, too, and it was on.

Johnson and Oosthuizen both birdied the first playoff hole (No. 1), Leishman bogeyed the hole, and the playoff was effectively a two-man race. Johnson birdied the second (No. 2), Oosthuizen parred, and they moved to the 17th – the most difficult hole on the course.

All three hit drives in the fairway, not an easy task, but Johnson sprayed his approach to the left, pitched it back over the green and wound up with bogey. Oosthuizen had a chance at par, missed a short putt, leaving Johnson up by one as they headed to the 18th.

Oosthuizen had a makable birdie putt to tie, missed it and the Claret Jug was Johnson's.

For Johnson, it was his second major victory, the first coming at the Masters in 2007.

Jordan Spieth finished tied for fourth with Jason Day. Both had -14. Spieth had a 67-72-66-69 for a 274 and Day had a 66-71-67-70 for a 274.

Jordan Niebrugge had an outside shot at the silver claret jug. He was more than happy to leave St. Andrews with a silver medal.

At a British Open where amateurs shared the stage, Niebrugge pulled within three shots of the lead on the back nine until he could no longer keep up. He closed with a 2-under 70 to tie for sixth.

Not only was he low amateur, he became the first amateur since Chris Woods at Royal Birkdale in 2008 to finish in the top 10. Along with getting the silver medal, the top 10 means he gets to return to the Open next year at Royal Troon.

''The top accomplishment I've had so far,'' said Niebrugge, a senior-to-be at Oklahoma State. ''Just the silver medal in a major championship, especially at St. Andrews. It's definitely a dream come true.''

Niebrugge, whose grandparents live in Teutopolis, had a 67-73-67-70 for his 277 total and a tie for sixth place. Niebrugge is a Wisconsin resident. His parents Rod and Judy (Helmink) Niebrugge grew up in Teutopolis and graduated from Teutopolis High School. The 21-year-old, 6-foot-4 golfer will begin his senior year at Oklahoma State University.