Matt Jones followed in the footsteps of boyhood idol Greg Norman by winning the Australian Open Sunday holding off the challenge of world No. 1 Jordan Spieth and former champion Adam Scott.
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Jones, the victor of the 2014 Shell Houston Open, took full advantage of his Australian Club course knowledge, also shooting a 68 to move to seven under par.
Jordan Spieth posted the best score of the day on Saturday at the Australian Open, a 5-under 67 that left him in solo second place, three shots behind the leader – his good buddy and frequent practice partner Matt Jones.
Pampling will qualify for next year’s Open at Royal Troon if he finishes among the top three of those not already exempt, like Spieth and Scott.
“That was very stressful, it wasn’t comfortable out there for me”, Jones said.
“So I am going to give it everything I can as I would love to have my name on that trophy alongside the likes of (Jack) Nicklaus, Norman and it would be awesome”.
Starting the day seemingly well out of contention at four-over par, 14 shots off the lead, Pampling dropped another shot on the first hole before racking up nine birdies and then draining a 23m putt for eagle on the last to set the tournament alight.
Rhein Gibson (68) is five shots off the lead in outright third with Lincoln Tighe (70) and Aron Price (70) six back in equal fourth. U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau shot 72 and finished at 4 over, as did European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke after a 76.
“I struck it nicely, there’s not too much room to land it, up there”, Spieth said.
Jones, who started the day with a three-shot lead on seven-under, enjoyed a similarly uncertain start and turned around at level par for the day after three birdies and three bogeys.
“I just have to wait and see now and cross fingers that it works out”.
“I holed a few long ones today and didn’t miss the short ones like I did yesterday”, Colsaerts said.
“I battled away today, which is fantastic the way I did, I could have let it slip and let it get away”.
Scott has won at least one title every year since claiming the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa in 2001, his first year as a full-time professional.
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This bettered the 63 Spieth carded in the final round to win the title previous year.
