Wednesday 2 December 2015 16:35, UK
Matt Jones clung on to win the Emirates Australian Open ahead of Adam Scott and defending champion Jordan Spieth despite a disappointing final round.
Jones had a three-shot lead heading into the last day at the Australian Golf Club but a two-over 73 almost saw his grip on the title slip away.
The Australian was three over for his round after two holes, a bogey on the first immediately followed by a double at the first par three.
Jones recovered with two birdies but a triple-bogey seven on the ninth left him with work to do on the back-nine.
But he picked up two shots on his way in to claim victory by one stroke from major winners Scott and Spieth.
Jones said: "I got the job done. There was a lot of stress and a lot of anxious moments but I came through with that lipping putt on the last to get the trophy.
"To have my name on this trophy with [Jack] Nicklaus, [Jack] Newton, [Greg] Norman, all those guys, is a dream come true for me and something that can never be taken away."
Scott started the day nine shots off the pace but ended just one stroke behind after picking up seven birdies in his six-under 65.
Spieth bogeyed three of the first six holes but fought back to finish even for the day to join Scott in second.
The 2014 Masters and US Open champion also saw his course record surpassed.
Australian Rod Pampling went two better than the score Spieth carded last year with a 10-under 61 to finish only two shots off the pace.
The 46-year-old, who made a 60-foot eagle putt on the 18th, also qualified for The Open at Royal Troon next year for being among the top three finishers here who were not already exempt.
"I felt nice and relaxed out there," he said. "The hitting was fantastic and it just gave me the opportunity to make the putts.
"I was just seeing them really well and obviously it's a bonus to get that one on the last. I was more looking at trying to give it a chance but make sure I was a chance to still make the birdie.
"I ran a golf course, I thought Jordan's round last year, eight [under], was pretty impressive and just to shoot the 61, yep, very happy."
