World No. 953 upstages LIV Golf star to claim Australian Open

American rookie Ryggs Johnston produced a scintillating final round performance to claim the biggest victory of his life at the Australian Open. 

Johnston, ranked 953rd in the OWGR, carded a final round of 68 at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne to take the victory by as many as three strokes. 

The 24-year-old began the final round in a share of the lead with LIV Golf's Lucas Herbert. 

But Herbert struggled in the wet and breezy conditions, allowing Johnston to pull clear with birdies at 10, 14 and 15. 

Herbert's hopes vanished completely with a bogey at the 17th. 

Australian Curtis luck finished solo second on 15-under. Marc Leishman also finished in the top-10 and booked his spot at next year's Open at Royal Portrush. 

Home favourite Cameron Smith finished in a tie for 39th on 3-under. 

Johnston told reporters he had no expectations ahead of the tournament. 

And he didn't even play a practice round. 

"It probably helped me in the end," he said. 

"It feels great, just knowing that I [now] have more playing opportunities. It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but it's an amazing feeling."

The Australian Open sees them men and women competing together for the same prize purse. 

Two-time Women's Open winner Shin Ji-yai secured her 65th career victory. 

The South Korena held off a late charge from South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai, who was looking to win the title for the third year in a row. 

Shin finished on 17-under, three clear of Buhai. 

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