Australian Open: Matt Jones beats Jordan Spieth & Adam Scott

Jones qualified in style by winning the Emirates Australian Open, finishing on an eight-under-par total of 276 for the championship, one shot ahead of Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth, who are both exempt for The Open.

However, it was a tense last few minutes as defending champion Spieth attempted to force a play-off, but his eagle putt slid by the hole with the two-time major victor ending with a birdie.

Then Jones played the first two holes on Sunday in 3 over par, and the 100th edition of Australia’s biggest golf tournament got much more interesting. After sleeping on a three-stroke advantage, Jones’ nerves almost got the better of him, but the Aussie collected the hardware at The Australian Golf Club in Rosebery today.

Jones’ brother, Brett, is the club pro at Due Process Stables Golf Course in Colts Neck.

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke is nine shots off the pace after carding a 70, with England’s Lee Westwood five further back following a four-over-par round, but it appears set to be a two-man fight for the title. There were only nine golfers under par. It was the first time the Jack Nicklaus-designed course had played at a par-71.

“It’s unbelievable. I didn’t think it would be enough coming in”.

“I would have been pretty excited to be in a play-off with Matt”, said Spieth. “It’s not the most comfortable putt, ” he said later. So it’s in my hands.

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.

“Not really, I could have given him one though (for) getting wet on the 14th”, he said, referring to the fact Williams didn’t have an umbrella ready when a brief shower hit the course.

The 35-year-old Scott still has a chance for a tournament win if he doesn’t do something special on the weekend in Sydney.

Pampling had made up a stunning 14 shots on the overnight leader but not only had Jones’ trial and tribulations opened the door for Pampling, he had provided several others with the prospect of victory. After his round Spieth wasn’t about to apologize.

“I’m playing to a strategy I have”, he said.

“It was very stressful today and it was a new experience for me”. I guess it’s who I am’.