PGA: Jones leads Spieth in Australian Open

Matt Jones held off world No. 1 Jordan Spieth and a charging Adam Scott on his home golf course to win the 100th edition of the Australian Open by a stroke, after a dramatic final round yesterday.

Australian Rod Pampling went two better than the score Spieth carded past year with a 10-under 61 to finish only two shots off the pace.

Rum nearly powered Rod Pampling to an incredible Australian Open victory.

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.

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.

Speaking after the round, Spieth praised Jones and said he is looking forward to the final day.

Golf Australia announced on Sunday that Royal Sydney would take over as tournament host for 2016, its 15th staging of the Open and first since 2013 when Rory McIlroy pipped Adam Scott in a famous final-day shootout.

“It was tough this year the way the dates fell”, said Spieth, who made 25 starts in the 2014-2015 PGA Tour season. “I was more looking at trying to give it a chance but make sure I was a chance to still make the birdie”.

“There was a poor shot in there and a really great chip and a putt, and the same on 17 when I put myself in an awkward spot after two”, Scott said. “Peter Dawson let me start the event off a year ago and it was fantastic to have that honour”, said Pampling.

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.

“I don’t know if it will be good enough, but I think that I’ll peak tomorrow”.

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 is little doubting the quality of player Jones has become after seventeen years in the USA, attending Arizona State University then playing the Web.Com Tour and eventually the USPGA Tour, where he has won, but his exploits have largely escaped the attention of Australian golf fans.