Johnson, Leishman heading to playoff at British Open
Despite his strong recent British Open record, Zach Johnson has been vocal about his mild distaste for links golf.
And for a moment, with Johnson in prime position to win a first Claret Jug, it seemed the golf gods intervened.
Johnson drained a 30-plus-foot birdie to secure bookend 6-under 66s in this championship and post 15-under 273, giving him the clubhouse lead. Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen, needing a birdie on 18, joined Johnson at 15-under, forcing a three-player, 4-hole playoff. The playoff will be played on Holes 1, 2, 17 and 18.
Knowing the importance, Johnson’s putt prompted this from his caddy:
Back in January at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Johnson was asked how the 2015 major venues lined up with his game. His assessment was grim, particularly about this championship.
“The British. That’s my least favorite in the rotation,” he said. “I say that and I love that tournament, and I still like St. Andrews. That’s how much I love that tournament. I think St. Andrews is terrific, and it’s my least favorite. I feel like it’s one where you just gotta hit it left and you gotta hit it 290 in the air and it just doesn’t favor me. I say that and I’m telling you right now it’s my favorite tournament to play in, and I like St. Andrews. It’s just not my favorite of the other ones I’ve played.”
Perhaps the birdie on 18 came as elements of karma conflicted. Eight days ago at the John Deere Classic, Johnson was spooked by a passing boater with an air cannon as he was ready to stroke a similarly unlikely birdie putt. Johnson missed the putt and, ultimately, missed the playoff Jordan Spieth eventually won by a shot.
In 11 prior Open Championship starts, Johnson has never finished better than a tie for sixth. However, in three of his prior four Open starts, Johnson had finished inside the top 16. Now he has to wait to see if his score will land him in a four-hole aggregate-score playoff or win outright.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
