If recent history is anything to go by, Matt Jones should have major expectations for next year after winning the Australian Open on his home course at the Australian Golf Club on Sunday.
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Overnight leader Jones, from Australia, carded a second successive 68 to move to 10 under overall.
Pampling was just two strokes adrift of Jones when he finished his scintillating round and, in an extraordinary twist, sharing the lead after Jones chalked up a triple-bogey seven on the ninth after landing in the water and three-putting after taking his penalty drop.
“I thought that it would all be there today and I just didn’t start out strong enough”, said the US Open and Masters champion, who now heads to his second tournament defence in succession and Thursday’s Tiger Woods-hosted Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Australian veteran Rod Pampling, who had a course-record 61, was fourth, two strokes behind Jones. Indeed. Spieth started three-over through six holes on Sunday to fall five off the lead, yet could have taken Jones to playoff had he holed a 16-foot eagle putt on the 72nd hole.
Jones’ round included holing a bunker shot on the 12th hole for par. “But either way it’s a lot better than it was through the first four holes”.
However, he came up two shots short of Jones, who made birdie on the final hole to win on his home club. Starting out the final round nine shots back from Matt Jones’ lead, he knew that he needed to go low.
Jones got his maiden US PGA Tour win at the Houston Open a year ago and banked close to $US2 million with four top 10 and seven top 25 finishes in 2015. U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau shot 72 and finished at 4 over, as did European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke after a 76. The 22-year-old American threw his hands in the air high-fived his caddie Michael Greller then gave him a light punch in the chest. “To have my name on the this trophy with (Jack) Nicklaus, (Jack) Newton, (Greg) Norman, all those guys, is a dream come true for me and something that can never be taken away”.
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At two over par in a tie for 14th, Gareth Paddison is the best placed New Zealander following an even par third round 71.
