He triumphed over Australian Curtis Luck, who shot a final round of 68, finishing three strokes behind Johnston.

Johnston expressed his honor in joining the ranks of past winners, including golf legends like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

At just 24 years old, Johnston faced challenging weather conditions, including rain and strong winds, at Kingston Heath, a course he had never played before.

With this victory, Johnston earns a spot in the British Open at Royal Portrush, marking his first major championship appearance.

His journey to this victory included a stint on the PGA Tour Americas, where he struggled until encouragement from his college coach led him to excel at Q-School in Spain.

He is now recognized as the first American to win the Stonehaven Cup since Jordan Spieth in 2016, despite being ranked 953rd in the world.

Ryggs Johnston of the United States claimed his first professional title by winning the Australian Open golf championship on December 1, 2024, finishing at 18-under 269.

After graduating from Arizona State University, where he was a standout player, Johnston successfully navigated the qualifying stages for a European tour card.

Johnston's success has made him a significant figure in Montana golf history, being the first professional tournament winner from Libby, a small town with a population under 3,000.

His girlfriend's father served as his caddie during the tournament, and Johnston humorously noted that his unique name was inspired by a character from the movie 'Lethal Weapon'.

Johnston expressed gratitude for the support from his hometown, which plans a homecoming celebration to honor their new champion.

The Australian Open was held concurrently for both men's and women's tournaments at Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club, featuring equal prize money and alternating tee times.