Jones, Pampling, Cullen qualify for British Open

Spieth was as disappointed as Jones was thrilled.

Pampling broke Jordan Spieth’s mark at the course, where the American finished tied with Adam Scott for second on Sunday.

The largely unheralded Jones burst from the shadows of celebrated countrymen Adam Scott and Jason Day with a hugely popular one-stroke triumph over defending champion Spieth and Scott on his home course at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney on Sunday.

But Jones, a local club member at The Australian, retained his composure amid the drama to birdie the 16th to regain sole possession of the lead. But today was one of the great fightbacks I’ve had.

A single birdie at the 14th interrupted a run of pars before he drained a putt off the long fringe on the edge of the 17th hole to trigger his own strong finish.

Bidding to become the first worldwide player since the legendary Jack Nicklaus in 1976 to win back-to-back Open crowns, Spieth at one point trailed Jones by eight shots before setting up what shapes as a grandstand finish to the 100th Open.

Spieth thought Saturday’s round was one of the “best fought” of his professional career after he started the day with three bogeys in the first four holes.

“It’s a dream come true for me and it’s something that I can’t have taken away from me”. “There was a lot of stress and a lot of anxious moments out there, but came through with a lip in putt on the last to get the trophy, which was nice”.

The Sydneysider’s victory also earned him a place at next year’s British Open along with Pampling and Nick Cullen (68), who shared fifth with Lincoln Tighe (72) on three-under but clinched the spot at Royal Troon courtesy of his higher ranking.

But the 35-year-old’s tactic for beating 22-year-old golfing phenomenon Spieth are a little, erm, unusual.

“So I still think I’ve got plenty left in me, that’s for sure”.

Bourdy hit four consecutive birdies before a triple-bogey on the par three seventh hit his challenge, despite a mini-recovery late on when he claimed birdies on the 15th and 16th. “Hopefully I haven’t peaked because I know I can hit it better than I did today, I can make a few more putts than I did today, so if I can do that I’ll have a good day tomorrow”.