Jordan Spieth, right, of the USA chats with Geoff Ogilvy of…
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Jones secured a three-shot lead over the world No. 1 and defending champion after the third round of the Australian Open in Sydney, courtesy of a superb 3-under par 68, which was helped by birdies on the final two holes.
England’s Lee Westwood was marginally better off than Spieth, on one under par, with Australian Adam Scott matching Spieth’s 71, Darren Clarke posting a four-over 75 and Peter Senior recording a nine-over 80.
“I struck it nicely, there’s not too much room to land it, up there, ” Spieth said.
He three-putted twice for bogeys and didn’t make a single birdie, admitting he couldn’t remember when he last had a round without one. “I didn’t really think I hit a bad shot”, Ogilvy said.
The 35-year-old Scott still has a chance for a tournament win if he doesn’t do something special on the weekend in Sydney.
Adam Scott eagled the last hole of his third round to give himself a glimmer of hope of winning the Stonehaven Cup for the second time.
“That last hole was really tough”, added Spieth.
The disappointment though was written on the young Texan’s face after the cross winds blew away his early two-under start, leaving him five shots behind unheralded 26-year-old Wollongong professional Lincoln Tighe. The wind was one and a half, two club wind, but you’ve still got to get it in the hole. You can just look at the stats, I was so far down the putting that it doesn’t matter how good you hit it, you’re going to struggle to beat guys like Jason, Jordan and Rory when they’re not putting that badly or hitting it that badly.
Spieth, who shot a course-record, final-round 63 in tough conditions in Australia previous year, was also plagued by poor tee shots Thursday.
“I feel a little bit better with the putter and it all obviously peaked on the weekend and hopefully I can do the same here”, Spieth said.
Having picked up three shots before the turn, Spieth could have moved closer to Jones had two birdies on the back nine not been wiped out by consecutive bogeys at 15 and 16. “I’m just happy to be playing on the PGA Tour and keep doing what I’m doing”.
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Tighe is enjoying his second appearance in the tournament after he missed the cut a year ago, and says he is very pleased with his performance and that he has always loved the Australian Club because it sets up very well for him.
