Sydneysider Matt Jones stormed into a three-stroke lead with a three-under-par 68 in the second round of the Australian Open on Friday as reigning champion Jordan Spieth moved into a share of third despite another frustrating day.
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World No. 1 Jordan Spieth said he is hoping to hit his peak during his final round shoot-out with home favourite Matt Jones at the Australian Open today as he looks to retain a title for the first time in his career. Spieth battled his way through a “frustrating” day to record a three under par 68 moving to three under par overall.
The 22-year-old narrowly missed an eagle putt at the last after a superb approach shot but tapped in for birdie, giving himself every chance of back-to-back titles in Sunday’s final round.
Last week at the Australian Masters, Scott, who is in line for Olympic selection alongside Jason Day in the Australian men’s team, showed little interest in packing his bags for Brazil.
Last year, Spieth shot a final-round 63, a record on the revamped Jack Nicklaus-designed course, to win by six strokes.
What it means: With the win Jones, who won the Shell Houston Open earlier this year for his first PGA Tour victory, qualifies for this year’s Open Championship, as did Cullen and Pampling.
Although the greens have been changed over since he played regularly at The Australian, Jones has fond memories of roaming the fairways at his home club “watching golf as much I could” before leaving to attend Arizona State University.
“Of course I’ve thought about it… it would be fantastic”, Jones said. “Great fight back, one of the best fought rounds I’ve had that I can remember”.
However, three birdies and an eagle – at the 17th – in his back nine kept this year’s double major victor in contention.
Adam Scott, with a Saturday 68, got to red figures for the tournament and is part of a four-way tie for seventh at 1 under par. He started off the day with a 12-foot right-to-left birdie on the par four 10th hole.
The leading New Zealander is Daniel Pearce on one-under after shooting 69, putting him two strokes ahead of compatriot Ryan Fox.
The long 14 is a birdie hole, one many would suggest was “easy” but if it were renamed a par 4 it would be decried as being “too hard” given the severity of the tiny and difficult to hit green.
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First-round leader Lincoln Tighe of Australia dropped four shots on his final four holes for a 73 and was also four back.
