Jones holds off Spieth to win Australian Open

MattJones - Cropped

Matt Jones held on to win the Australian Open despite a nervy final round on Sunday, while Jordan Spieth never got going.

Jones, a winner on the PGA Tour last year, carded a two-over 73 to win by a shot at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

The Australian holed a three-foot par putt on the final hole to finish at eight under, a shot clear of Spieth and Adam Scott.

Jones had endured a difficult round that included four birdies, a triple bogey, a double bogey and a bogey.

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

The world number one ended up with an even-par 71 in the final round, but he never found his best form in his title defence.

Adam Scott shot a 65 to surge into contention as he finished alongside Spieth in a tie for second.

Rod Pampling had fired an incredible 10-under 61 and he was outright fourth after his course-record round.

Nick Cullen and Lincoln Tighe were tied for fifth at three under, a shot ahead of Terry Pilkadaris.

A group of five players – Todd Sinnott, Brett Rumford, Geoff Ogilvy, Aron Price and Rhein Gibson – finished tied for eighth.

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