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.
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Local boy Matt Jones is relishing a final-round duel for the Stonehaven Cup with world No. 1 and defending champion Jordan Spieth after retaining control of the Australian Open.
Pampling bogeyed his first hole Sunday, then played the next 17 in 11-under, with nine birdies, including 2s on three of the four par-3s on the course, and an eagle.
He was joined on seven under by Scott, who shot a superb six-under 65.
The 35-year-old admits the event he wants to win so badly was teetering on the edge of disaster when he stumbled to three-over midway through Thursday’s opening round, but a steely rally ensured his mission to upstage Jordan Spieth remained on track.
The key shot in the round came on the 12th, after Jones hit his tee shot well right and his second shot ricocheted off a tree he was trying to hit past. “On the weekend you’d like to start off your rounds and be able to gain some momentum and I just didn’t get anything at the beginning, ” he said. I normally don’t drink during a tournament but I haven’t seen him for a while and, at four-over, you really didn’t think much was going on.
Australia’s Matthew Jones poses with the 2015 Australian Open golf trophy after winning the tournament in Sydney on Sunday.
Jones said despite struggling to two over in the final round, he’s proud of the way he fought.
The ball landed safely on the green, however, and after being too cautious with his first putt, he holed a three-footer for par that almost lipped out.
“But to have my name on this trophy with the likes of (Jack) Nicklaus, (Jack) Newton, (Greg) Norman and so many greats of this game is a dream come true for me knowing now I am an Australian Open victor”. “If I can inspire young kids to play golf and help them out any way I can, if they’re interested in golf, sure”.
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The Texan, whose success has been so recent that he has only previously defended one title, hit a course record 63 to win the tournament previous year but said he would be putting memories of that brilliant round to the back of his mind on Sunday. I’m absolutely ecstatic to get back to The Open.
