Zach Johnson takes the Claret Jug in a tense play-off

July 20, 2015: Zach Johnson of the United States outclassed South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Australia’s Marc Leishman in a four-hole playoff to win The Open on Monday.

Victory was especially sweet for the emotional Johnson as it was his second Major victory since he won The Masters in 2007.

“I’m at a loss for words. But I’m grateful and humbled. I’m thankful. This is the birthplace of the game and that jug means so much,” said a tearful Johnson after watching Oosthuizen missed a birdie putt on the final playoff hole which would have sent the contest into a sudden-death.

“I said it back in 2007 that I feel like god has given me this ability to play the game and blessed me with a talent. I’m going to relish this and I’m humbled by this. But my legacy should be my kids and my family,” added Johnson.

With Johnson, Oosthuizen and Leishman finishing regulation play at 15-under-par 273, the playoff was decided over the first, second, 17th and 18th holes.

Johnson drew first blood with birdies in his first two holes while Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, made birdie-par.

The treacherous road hole saw the trio making bogeys and Leishman was reduced to a mere spectator on the fourth hole after he had earlier bogeyed his first hole.

Oosthuizen had the chance to extend the challenge with a birdie chance on 18 after Johnson had two-putted for par.

But the South African could only watch in disappointment as his putt sailed agonisingly past the cup, giving Johnson the title.

“It’s never nice to lose a playoff. I had the experience in 2012 at Augusta and I felt like I really had a good chance of winning this tournament. But I was just outplayed in the playoff,” said Oosthuizen.

Asian Tour member Marcus Fraser of Australia mixed five birdies and three bogeys for a 70 and a share of 20th place while India’s Anirban Lahiri bettered his previous best of tied-31st in 2012 by closing with a 72 to finish tied for 30th.

Reigning Order of Merit champion David Lipsky of the United States signed off with a 73 for a share of 58th place with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee further back in tied-65th place that also featured Asian Tour honorary member Ernie Els of South Africa.

The Open witnessed a Monday finish for the first time since 1988 after gusty wind conditions disrupted play for much of the day on Saturday, leading the tournament to go into overtime.