Matt Jones followed in the footsteps of boyhood idol Greg Norman by winning the Australian Open, holding off the challenge of world No1 Jordan Spieth and former champion Adam Scott.
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Jones had a 54-hole total of 10-under 203.
There is little doubting the quality of player Jones has become after seventeen years in the U.S., attending Arizona State University then playing the Web.Com Tour and eventually the USPGA Tour, where he has won, but his exploits have largely escaped the attention of Australian golf fans.
Jones’ brother, Brett, is the club pro at Due Process Stables Golf Course in Colts Neck. Scott struggled on Friday shooting a birdie-free 73, but rebounded with two rounds in the 60’s over the weekend.
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke is nine shots off the pace after carding a 70, with England’s Lee Westwood five further back following a four-over-par round, but it appears set to be a two-man fight for the title.
At the Australian Open alone, a pair of horror bogeys in the first round meant he needed four birdies on the back nine to salvage par and he made the cut despite a second round in which he failed to once beat par. That was the first time the course had played as a par-71.
“I would have been pretty excited to be in a play-off with Matt as that would have added to this week as the crowds have just been unbelievable and much bigger than previous year”, said Spieth.
Scott closed with a 65 that gave him a chance, and until Jones’ final putt, he had a chance of making a playoff. “Hopefully I haven’t peaked yet, I know I can hit it better than I did today and if I can get a few more putts we’ll have a good day tomorrow”.
“And now I’m well in contention and in the last group, whether it’s three or four behind, it’s a lot better than I’d thought it would be after four holes”.
“Right now I think the goal is going to be to try and shoot 10 under on the weekend and I think that should be good enough”.
“Just to have my name on that trophy with Norman, it’s something I’ll never forget”.
Like Jones, the Australian Open was the first win of the year for both Spieth and McIlroy and in their cases, they used their Sydney success as the launch pad for spectacular following seasons, both winning two major championships.
Culllen mixed five birdies and four bogeys in his final round 68 but an eagle on the par five 14th hole helped him move to three-under-par for the championship.
“It was very stressful today and it was a new experience for me”.
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“So, yeah, I guess it fueled up the tank and I came out on fire”.
