MELBOURNE, Australia -- Ryggs Johnston went around the world for a golf opportunity he didn't waste.
Because of that, he'll go home a winner.
Johnston, an unheralded American player, celebrated his first professional victory Sunday with a three-stroke triumph in the Australian Open, while South Korea's Jiyai Shin became a two-time winner of the Women's Australian Open, which was played concurrently at two courses on the famed Melbourne Sandbelt.
The tournaments had alternating tee times -- and equal prize money for the second consecutive year -- at the par-72 Kingston Heath Golf Club (where par was 73 for the women) and par-71 Victoria Golf Club. Kingston Heath hosted the final two rounds after rotating with Victoria for the opening two rounds.
Johnston shot a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to finish at 18-under 269 and hold off Australia's Curtis Luck (68), who had briefly taken the lead on the final stretch but wound up second.
Johnston, a 24-year-old Montana native who is No. 953 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is the first American to win the Stonehaven Cup since three-time major champion Jordan Spieth won it for a second time in 2016. Other former winners include Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player -- a trio with a combined 34 major championships.
"It's just really cool to be in group that's with those guys," said Johnston, who was making his second start on the Europe-based DP World Tour. "And I'm just pretty honored to be able to put my name on it now, and I'll cherish this moment forever."
Marc Leishman (69), who competes in the LIV Golf League, and fellow Australian player Jasper Stubbs (70) tied for the third at 14-under 273.
After leading, or having a share of the lead after the first three rounds, Australia's Lucas Herbert had a testing day on the greens as he shot a 74 to slide to 12 under and a tie for fifth.
The day started brightly for Johnston with an eagle on the first hole, but he followed that with two birdies traded with three bogeys as he made the turn at 35.
The former Arizona State University player showed more composure in the final stretch, making three more birdies and no bogeys as he closed out the biggest win of his young career with a par on the final hole of the course that will host the 2028 Presidents Cup.
Chile's Joaquin Niemann, the tournament's 2023 winner, couldn't repeat his 64 from Saturday when he stormed back into contention; he managed only a par round of 72 to finish at 12 under and share sixth place.
Australia's Cameron Smith, the 2022 British Open champion, shot a 71 to finish at 3 under and in a tie for 39th to end his four-tournament stint back home winless.
AP photo by Asanka Brendon Ratnayake / Men's champion Ryggs Johnston Ryggs and women's champion Jiyai Shin pose with their Australian Open trophies Sunday at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne.
In the Women's Australian Open, Shin withstood a late challenge from a fast-finishing Ashleigh Buhai, who was trying to win the event for the third straight time.
Shin shot a 70 to finish at 17-under 274 total and win by two shots over runner-up Buhai (68).
The former No.1 in the Women's World Golf Rankings had led by as many as seven shots in the final round, but Buhai's five birdies with one bogey on the final stretch made Shin's victory far less certain.
The 36-year-old South Korean didn't falter, though, and sunk a seven-foot putt to close out her 65th professional title, which includes the 2013 Australian Open.
"Now I can breathe," Shin said. "I only had one Australian Open trophy, so I am really excited for this next one, especially at this golf course at Kingston Heath.
"I lost in 2008 to Karrie Webb, so now I feel much better."
Buhai was bidding to become the first player to win the event three times in a row and had a 12-foot birdie attempt on the last hole to narrow Shin's margin to one shot, but it skirted by the cup.
Hyojin Yang, a 17-year-old amateur from South Korea, finished third at seven under after a final round of 72.
Hannah Green (79) had a disastrous start to her final round, falling out of contention early with three bogeys and a double bogey in her first nine holes.
The Australian player tied for fourth with compatriot Grace Kim (70) at 6 under.
LPGA Tour regular Minjee Lee (71) tied for seventh at 3 under, while her brother, PGA Tour player Min Woo Lee (70) tied for 27th at 5 under.
Uihlein adds another Asian Tour win
DOHA, Qatar -- Peter Uihlein closed with a 3-under 69 and finished at 16-under 272 for a five-shot victory in the International Series Qatar, his second title this year in the Asian Tour's top events.
The victory put Uihlein, a 35-year-old American who has been with LIV Golf since it began in 2022, atop the International Series ranking.
South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters winner, closed with a 68 to finish second. South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner, and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines tied for third. Tabuena had a 70 and Oosthuizen a 71 as they finished at 9 under.
John Catlin tied for 19th with a 71 to clinch the Asian Tour Order of Merit title with one tournament remaining. He slipped to No. 2 behind Uihlein in the International Series ranking.
Elsewhere, Shaun Norris closed with a 2-under 68 to win the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup in the final Japan Golf Tour event of the year. Takumi Kanaya shot a 67 to finish third, enough for him to capture the money title.
And in Spain, Carlota Ciganda had a 1-under 71 for a one-shot victory in the season-ending Open de España Femenino. It was the 34-year-old Spaniard's eighth career title on the Ladies European Tour.