Golf: Libby's Johnston ends U.S. Amateur on a high note

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. — Ryggs Johnston’s run at the U.S. Amateur Championship came to an end Wednesday morning despite a seven-stroke improvement in his second round.

Johnston finished with a 1-over-par 71 in the second round, capped by a birdie on the 18th hole. The Libby native played the first 16 holes of round two on Tuesday before play was suspended by darkness. Wednesday morning, Johnston made par on the 17th before carding a birdie four on the par-5 final hole.

The second round was a steady one for Johnston, who made 15 pars and just two bogies. He shot 8-over-par 78 in the opening round on Olympia Fields Country Club’s North Course. Johnston played the South Course in round two.

One of the youngest golfers in the tournament field, Johnston will begin his freshman year at Libby High School this fall and compete for Loggers’ boys golf team in the spring.

The U.S. Amateur moved to match play later Wednesday with the top 64 golfers squaring off head-to-head. Brad Coletta of Australia posted the lowest score in stroke play, finishing his first two rounds at 7-under. Coletta is the top seed in the match play tournament, which will be played entirely on the North Course.