The crazy rise of Ryggs Johnston, winner in Melbourne, Adrien Saddier one step away from the top 10

Completing an inexorable rise to power, the American Ryggs Johnston (photo) won the ISPS Hand Australian Open in Melbourne ahead of all the biggest names in Australian Golf. A victory almost unimaginable only a few weeks ago, which rewards a crazy rise. First tricolor this week, Adrien Saddier finished 11th.

This start of the season therefore gives pride of place to the next generation. This ambitious, almost hungry new generation seems to have no time to wait. After Elvis Smylie last week, it's the beautiful story of the American Ryggs Johnstonwinner this Sunday of theAustralian Open who comes to bear witness to this.

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This young man of 24 years old, arrived on tiptoe in Normandy on Golf de Léry-Poses for PQ1 of DP World Tour last September, has since taken giant steps forward. 3 top 10 finishes at PQ1, PQ2 then PQ3 then offered him playing rights on a circuit that few of his relatives in Montana had heard of. He then gave himself the right to dream big, a dream realized after only two tournaments in the European elite.

As if this were not enough for the relative inexperience of Ryggs Johnston, last Wednesday the young American was refused access to the course for a reconnaissance lap due to the weather conditions. The flower in the gun, the rookie from the USA then sends a 65 (-7) in the opening, then three other cards in a row under par (including a 68, -4 on Sunday), to win with a three strokes lead in – 18 total.

All thanks to his lethal weapon, a very successful putting on the greens of Kingston Heath Golf Clubto notably outperform the triple winner on the tour and leader since the first day of competition, Lucas Herbert.

On his cloud, the American will also have the pleasure of knowing he is exempt from the DP World Tour for the next two years, but also of being invited for the next edition of The Open on the Northern Irish route of Royal Portrush Golf Club.

« It's great to know that you have more opportunities to play and participate in bigger events. I don't realize it yet, but it's an amazing feeling.said Johnston, originally from Libby, a town of less than 3,000 inhabitants located near Canada on the American side of the border. I received a lot of messages from my friends who told me that the whole city was watching me, he added. It's really cool to have that kind of support and it's the kind of thing you don't often see in small towns like mine. »

Saddier already solid

While he was only coming off his best career season a few weeks ago (64th at the Race to Dubai last year), the golf player fromEsery in Haute-Savoie Adrien Saddier didn't seem satisfied though. He, who missed the final for nothing, then went back to work pumped up by the frustration of not having joined 6 of his compatriots in Dubai. This start to the season in Australia seems to prove him right.

After his 34th place last week in Brisbane, it's an 11th place for the 32-year-old in Melbourne, just one step away from a first top 10 this season, thanks in particular to four consecutive cards under par.

The only other French player to have made the cut, Pierre Pineau plays 72 (PAR) on Sunday and finishes 58th (+3 total).

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Photo : Getty Images/AFP