Johnson might just be the biggest over-achiever in golf

IAN Poulter always used to win this tag hands down for me, for moving from a five-handicap golfer at 17 to a winner all round the world and Ryder Cup hero. But what about Zach Johnson, with his ungainly swing and modest firing power from the tee?

It’s almost beyond belief that he could join such gifted merchants as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory Mcilroy as the only men in the past decade with 10 PGA Tour titles and more than two majors to their name.

his two majors were claimed at the two courses that predominantly aid the big bombers: Augusta national and St Andrews. Zach magic, indeed!

I have to admit, I’m changing my mind about Jordan Spieth after every major. After he won the Masters I thought he’d win a few majors but he wouldn’t be troubling Rory too much. After the US Open it looked like he should finish on the same page in the record books when their careers are done.

now, after all he showed us last week, it’s obvious the northern Irishman is facing all the challenge he can handle over the next decade. One thing’s for sure: Rory can’t afford any silly injuries

Imagine if it had been suddendeath on Monday? Imagine the drama as Johnson holed from 15ft to match the birdie at the first mustered by Louis Oosthuizen, before knocking in another long one to beat him at the second play-off hole?

We’d have thought it a finish absolutely in keeping with all that had gone before. Instead they went on to the next two holes where it all became rather anti-climactic and Marc Leishman, the third competitor in the play-off, must have felt like a spare part. I applaud the sentiment behind a four-hole play-off. But if you want excitement, you can’t beat the cut-throat nature of sudden death.

It’s going to be some Walker Cup at Royal Lytham in September. In the home team will be two men who contributed so much to this Open: Irishman Paul Dunne and england’s Ashley Chesters.

While the Americans have lost Oliver Schneiderjans, who will play in the Canadian Open this week as a pro having signed off with a 67, the lowest final round by an amateur in Open history, they do have the Silver Medal winner in Jordan niebrugge. Get your tickets now.

Last year they were making the leading Americans appear secondrate as Rory Mcilroy claimed two majors and Martin Kaymer the US Open. The Ryder Cup was one-sided. What the heck has happened?

This year, only Justin Rose at the Masters has come remotely close as the Yanks have seriously upped their game.

Is there a european golfer out there ready to step up to the plate at the PGA and prevent the first major-less season for european golf since 2009?

What is he now in the world rankings? I’ve stopped looking on American Zach Johnson poses with the Claret Jug trophy after winning the 144th Open Championship

account of the fact my eyes get sore having to go down so far. no-one expected him to do anything at the US Open but duffing shots on the Old Course?

no wonder his opening nine holes of 40 strokes on a morning as easy as St Andrews can play felt like an endgame for so many. Right

now he looks like Seve Ballesteros during his final years, thoroughly confused and playing on only because, well, what else would he do? Sad, desperately sad.

Tiger Woods plays his second shot on the fifth hole during the second round of The Open.— Dailymail