Australian veteran Rod Pampling went two better than the mark Spieth set past year with a 10-under 61 to finish two shots off the pace.
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Jones, Pampling, Scott and Spieth were frequently tied for the lead over the final hour, but a birdie on the 16th put the Australian a stroke clear.
The South African took a three-shot lead into the final round and never looked like losing despite dropping two shots in his first nine holes as he finished 15 under par.
“There was a lot of stress, and a lot of anxious moments out there, but came through with the lip in putt on the last to get the trophy”.
“We saw a wonderful thing in 2013 with Adam Scott’s fantastic victory lap, if you like, and the way he engaged with the crowds around the country and I fully expect to have Jason here next year”.
Spieth birdied the 11th hole to make a four-way tie at -6 between him, Adam Scott, Pampling, and Jones. “Twelve was by far the tipping point in the round”. It summarised his day, for the world No. 1 could only manage a 71, even-par, when so many expected better.
World number one Spieth, who believes his win the previous year was a springboard to his two majors wins last term, had a look at an eagle putt on the last to force a play-off, but was unable to convert the chance.
But now Spieth is almost right where he was this time past year.
Then Jones played the first two holes on Sunday in 3 over par, and the 100th edition of Australia’s biggest golf tournament got much more interesting.
Jones stumbled out of the blocks, making a double bogey and triple bogey on his front side to go out in 4-over 39 before rallying with a 2-under 34 on the back to win.
This year, Pampling finished in fourth place with a six-under 278, but he has qualified for the British Open at Royal Troon in July next year for being among the top three finishers who were not already exempt.
“To have my name on this trophy with like (Jack) Nicklaus, (Jack) Newton, Norman, all those guys, it’s a dream come true for me and it’s something that I can’t have taken away from me”.
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“I battled away today”, Jones said.
