Matt Jones wins the Emirates Australian Open

The 35-year-old Arizona-based Jones, who is chasing only a second pro career victory, was on the 16th fairway when he saw Spieth eagle the 17th and he responded with birdies also at 17 as well as the last. “And now I’m well in contention and likely in the last group, whether it’s three or four behind, it’s a lot better than I’d thought it would be after four holes”.

Pampling would have to cancel his flight – and the bookies dramatically reel in their odds – as the 46-year-old produced one of the greatest single-round performances in the Australian Open’s 100-year history.

“I just have to wait and see now and cross fingers that it works out”.

Spieth could not take advantage, missing a short putt for par to go back to 5-under. I normally don’t drink during the tournament but…at 4 over you really didn’t think much was going on.

Jones is also in line to secure one of three places into next year’s Open Championship along with fellow Australian Rhein Gibson (68) in third place on five under par.

The leaders’ nervousness gave some hope to the chasing pack – the big mover of the final day was Australian veteran Rod Pampling, who started the day at 4-over the card.

Matt Jones captured the Australian Open on home soil after narrowly beating world number one Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott.

Yet he was “completely out of sync, just lazy in my decision making and my swings”, he said, a performance that could be ascribed to the fact he hasn’t worked too many days in the past two months.

It was a remarkable final day, not least for the stunning, 10-under par 61 by Rod Pampling that smashed Spieth’s course record from previous year and at one point, threatened to win the tournament for the Queenslander.

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.

“I battled away today, which is fantastic the way I did, I could have let it slip and let it get away”. “On the weekend you’d like to start off your rounds and be able to gain some momentum and I just didn’t get anything at the beginning, ” he said. He hit only 18 of his last 36 greens in regulation, yet still tied for second, one shot behind victor Matt Jones.