Sam Torrance: Zach Johnson’s just played the best golf of his life at British Open
It couldn't have been a much closer Open, but in the end Zach Johnson’s class told and nobody can argue that he didn’t deserve to add the Claret Jug to his Green Jacket from the Masters in 2007.
Read more: Zach Johnson toasts "surreal" victory
Eagle-eyed readers may recall I tipped him as the danger man in Friday’s paper, having witnessed him play the best golf of his life in the first round, and I’m happy to have been right this time.
It was always going to be hard to maintain that level amid delays, but he played beautifully again yesterday when it mattered most.
I had to feel some sympathy for Marc Leishman, who summoned fantastic third and fourth rounds but faded in the play-off, and Louis Oosthuizen, who was a whisker away from taking Johnson to sudden death. And although he narrowly missed the play-off, Jordan Spieth did superbly well to continue his astonishing form and get anywhere near it.
In association with Glenmorangie, the Spirit of The Open Championship. Sam Torrance OBE is a multiple Ryder Cup-winning golfer and media commentator. Follow him on Twitter @torrancesam
Tony Jacklin's view:
What an incredible victory for Zach Johnson. He truly deserves it. This Open Championship has thrown up so many challenges with the delays. It is the guy that keeps his concentration and doesn't allow himself to get frustrated who prospers and Zach certainly did that. Congratulations to a very worthy winner.