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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Leading by three shots overnight, Jones gave his pursuers every chance with a double and triple bogey on the front nine, but four birdies in a two-over-par 73 proved enough for victory on eight-under-par at the Australian Golf Club.
The U.S. Open and Masters champion will start the day three shots behind the Australian, but thinks he might be able to find another gear for the final 18 holes.
With his second shot at the par-five 18th, however, he lofted a five iron to 12 feet, draining the putt to record a three-under 68 and stay in touch with the leaders at one-under.
Australian Rhein Gibson was in 3rd after a 68, 5 behind Jones.
Behind him on the golf course, however, Jones was producing his own heroics, holing a lengthy putt from off the green at the 17th then finishing with a birdie at the last to extend his lead over Spieth to three.
With gusty winds again affecting play on The Australian Golf Club course where Jones is a member, the USA -based Australian had a 54-hole total of 10-under 203. He made the turn in 4-over 39 and was tied with Pampling for the lead, with Scott and Spieth one behind.
“I just told him, that was one of the best fought wins I’ve ever seen, to come through what he did on two, nine and then that par he made on twelve”, Spieth told reporters.
“I knew I’ve been playing well, but I couldn’t get anything going earlier in the tournament”, Pampling said.
“There was a poor shot in there and a really great chip and a putt, and the same on 17 when I put myself in an awkward spot after two”, Scott said.
“So what I need to do is to throw out thinking about the final round 63 I shot here in Sydney past year as I will now have to accept the battle will be tight as Matt (Jones) is a tough guy to chase”, he said.
“I’ve just got to play two good rounds”, he said.
“And now I’m well in contention and likely 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”.
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“They’ve just gotten a little bit easier day-to-day and my putting’s been just slightly better today, and so I do believe that I have yet to peak at this tournament”.
