FOR a long time it looked as though it wasn’t going to be his day, but from out of the fire — and out of the water — Matt Jones was able to salvage a triumph he’ll always remember.
The Oyster Bay golfer won Australian golf’s most prestigious prize on Sunday, the Stonehaven Cup, as he eventually held his nerve to win the Australian Open by a shot from world No.1 Jordan Spieth and 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.
The 35-year-old started the final round with a three shot lead which he lost with a bogey and double bogey on his opening two holes.
A triple bogey on the ninth after putting his approach in the water looked like it would halt his momentum but, like his hero Greg Norman, Jones would not go away without a fight.
An incredible chip in from a green-side bunker on 12 to save par after finding trouble in the trees was the turning point as Jones went on to regain the lead with a birdie on 16.
He almost stumbled down the last, his drive finding the fairway bunker before laying up, only for his approach to narrowly avoid the water.
Spieth had a chance to force a play-off but missed his five metre eagle putt, allowing Jones to roll in a tricky par putt to win the championship with a score of eight under.
‘‘It’s not the most comfortable putt,’’ Jones said.
‘‘I would’ve much preferred to leave it to a
tap-in or gimme distance but I was expecting Jordan to make that.
‘‘I’ve played enough rounds of golf with him where he makes those putts. He didn’t putt well today.
‘‘I was just lucky [mine] caught the left lip and went in.
‘‘I thought I’d missed it left but one of those things ... it just went in and I was very, very happy.’’
An emotional Jones thanked his parents and his Oatley-based coach Gary Barter in front of a packed gallery at his home course, The Australian Golf Club, as he emulated Norman to win the 100th edition of the Australian Open.
‘‘It’s amazing,’’ Jones said. ‘‘It’s something I would have thought about from when I was six when I first met him [Norman].
‘‘I tried not to think about it this week because I knew, as you saw today, anything can happen on a golf course.
‘‘You can be one swing away from doing what I did and having no chance to win.’’
It was only Jones’ second win as a professional after his breakthrough victory in Houston on the PGA Tour last year.
It wasn’t just the trophy Jones will take with him back to the US, but also a berth in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and a place in the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon next year.
Kareela’s Aron Price finished in a tie for eighth at one under, while Matt’s older brother Brett and Cronulla’s Scott Arnold missed the cut.
