Matt Jones wins Australian Open with closing 2-over 73

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.

A “flat” and exhausted Adam Scott shot a 2-over 73 at the Australian Open on Friday, a round that allowed him to make the cut but likely did little to help him end his 2015 victory drought.

Like Jones, the Australian Open was the first win of the year for both Spieth and McIlroy and in their cases, they used their Sydney success as the launch pad for spectacular following seasons, both winning two major championships.

World number one Spieth, who believes his win the previous year was a springboard to his two majors wins last term, had a look at an eagle putt on the last to force a play-off, but was unable to convert the chance.

Pampling shot a 10 under the card 61 for the day beating the coarse record by two strokes.

Pampling came through The Open Qualifying Series at the Emirates Australian Open a year ago to secure his place at the 144TH Open at St Andrews.

What it means: Jones, a one-time victor on the PGA Tour and the 36-hole leader at this year’s PGA Championship, shot 68 and maintained the three-shot lead he held after 36 holes.

Spieth missed a long eagle putt at the last that would have forced a play-off.

Earlier, Scott gave himself a shot by finishing at seven-under after shooting a six-under par 65, including a birdie on the final hole that ended the hopes of a fairytale by veteran Aussie Rod Pampling (six-under).

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.

“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”.

“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 past year and it was fantastic to have that honour”, said Pampling. “I struck it nicely there’s not too much room to land it up there” Spieth said.

“I can’t recall off the top of my head, normally I can sneak one in”, said Scott, managing a smile.