Jones edges big names in Sydney
Matt Jones captured the Australian Open on home soil after narrowly beating world number one Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott.
Starting Sunday's final round at the Australian Golf Club with a three-shot lead, Jones closed with an eventful two-over-par 73 to just manage to hold on for victory over Spieth, who was the defending champion, and a charging Scott.
Scott closed with a seven-under-par 65, while Spieth looked set for a final-round assault after playing himself into position on Saturday but had to settle for a 71.
Veteran Rod Pampling finished a shot further back after an incredible course-record 10-under-par 61.
Nick Cullen (70) and Lincoln Tighe (72) shared fifth at three under.
While the final round looked like it would be a straight battle between Jones and Spieth, both players made horror starts to bring those behind them into the picture.
Spieth was three over par for his first six holes after two opening bogeys and another at the sixth, while Jones opened with a bogey and a double-bogey to also find himself three over for the day after a couple of holes.
That allowed both Pampling and Scott to play themselves into contention. Pampling would end up with an incredible nine birdies and an eagle at the last after draining a 70-foot putt for eagle, smashing the course record by two shots.
When Jones also made a horror triple-bogey at the ninth after recovering birdies at four and six, it allowed Pampling to briefy share the lead in the clubhouse.
Scott's round would hand him the clubhouse lead, however, and after a disappointing round by his own high standards, Spieth had managed to recover enough to stand over an eagle putt at the last that would have forced a play-off with Jones, but it was just wide.
To Jones' credit he bounced back on the back nine, making two birdies and no more bogeys to hold off all comers and claim the closest of victories.
Latest
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick: A Blade with plenty of support who can really cut it
The Sheffield golfer landed his first major – and first professional win in America – at Brookline on Sunday.