Meanwhile, Jones started the final round of the Australian Open with a three stroke lead over Jordan Spieth, but anything can happen in the sport of golf and it made for an interesting Sunday.
Advertisement
Matt Jones held off world number one Jordan Spieth and a charging Adam Scott on his home course to win the 100th edition of the Australian Open by a stroke after a dramatic final round on Sunday.
It was a remarkable final day, not least for the stunning, 10-under par 61 by Rod Pampling that smashed Spieth’s course record from past year and at one point, threatened to win the tournament for the Queenslander.
After starting the day three shots clear, Jones closed with a rollercoaster two-over-par 73 to edge out fast-finishing Scott (65) and Spieth (71) with a 72-hole total of eight-under 276.
“I knew I have been playing well, but I could not get anything going earlier in the tournament”, Pampling said.
Spieth missed a long eagle putt at the last that would have forced a play-off.
Pampling, who ended in fourth place, was rewarded for the round of his life with qualification for next year’s British Open as one of the top three finishers not already exempt.
“There was a lot of stress, and a lot of anxious moments out there, but came through with the lip in putt on the last to get the trophy”.
“I drove it in the rough and had got it right back on the green but left myself plenty of work”. His win at Houston on the PGA Tour previous year was his first and the only professional victory before today.
Jason Day says he’s eager to headline the Australian Open in 2016.
Spieth acknowledged as much but said ominously that he was peaking for the final round and would draw confidence from his course-record 63 he shot a year ago to run away with the Stonehaven Cup.
“Matt Jones has played the best golf for three rounds, he’s played better golf than I have and I have to somehow not only play better golf, but play better golf by multiple shots”.
Advertisement
A shot further back is first round leader Lincoln Tighe and Aron Price who each had 1-under 70 at The Australian today. “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”.
