ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Zach Johnson has prevailed in a three-man playoff to win the British Open.
The 39-year-old, who won the 2007 Masters, claimed his second career major by squeezing out a par on the final hole of the playoff at No. 18 and watching as Louis Oosthuizen missed a short-range birdie try.
“I’m grateful, I’m humbled, I’m thankful, I’m honored,” Johnson told ESPN beside the 18th green, with tears in his eyes.
Johnson rolled in a 20-foot putt at No. 2 for his second straight birdie in the four-hole playoff.
Oosthuizen also birdied the first hole but missed a 25-footer at the second. On the 17th hole — the infamous Road Hole — both players took bogey, setting up Johnson’s clutch finish.
Marc Leishman, the third participant in the playoff, finished three strokes back.
Johnson rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole for a 6-under 66 that put him at 15-under through regulation.
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When Johnson’s final putt dropped in the cup, his knees buckled and he pumped his right fist. His caddie, Damon Green, did a little dance to celebrate.