Australian Open: Matt Jones stays in control

Matt Jones is relishing a final-round duel with world No 1 and defending Australian Open champion Jordan Spieth.

Jordan Spieth from the US looks to the crowd after making a birdie putt at the 18th hole during round three of the Australian Open.

At a sports store appearance in the lead-up to the Australian Open, world No 1 golfer Jordan Spieth was asked for an outside tip to win the tournament.

He plumped for Matt Jones, a man he knows only too well from the numerous practice rounds they have played together, the latest last week at The Australian Golf Club.

Smart bloke that Jordan Spieth. Today, he and Jones will play together in the final group on the final day of the national championship, the winner most likely to finish the afternoon in possession of the tournament’s Stonehaven Cup.

Spieth will start the day three shots behind Jones but he remains the man to beat after overcoming a woeful start to put himself in position to defend the title he won with a course record on the last day a year ago.

Jordan Spieth from the US looks to the crowd after making a birdie putt at the 18th hole during round three of the Australian Open.

The American bogeyed three of his opening four holes but made six birdies thereafter as well as an eagle at the 17th, when he holed his eight iron from the 170 metres.

“It’s two extra shots that you don’t expect,” Spieth said after signing for a four-under-par 67 on Saturday.

“Now I had some help wind to carry an extra four or five paces onto the green, but I flushed it and I looked up and it was right on line.”

He now finds himself in a duel with Jones (68), the pair having forged a friendship over their time on the PGA Tour. Last week, they wagered over the number of birdies they could make during a practice round.

The stakes are infinitely higher on Sunday, particularly for Jones. Spieth already has the Stonehaven Cup in his possession, not to mention two majors. Jones has one win as a professional to his name — the 2014 Houston Open.

“One more day to go, I get to play with him — be no better person to beat on the final day,” Jones said yesterday.

“So yeah, to go up against the No 1 in the world will be a lot of fun. I’m not sure what the wind is like tomorrow but if I go out and shoot two or three under I’m going to be very tough to beat, so it’s in my hands.

“I’ve played many rounds with Jordan on the PGA Tour and in practice rounds. He’s a great guy, No 1 in the world and just very humble and very down to earth, which is fantastic.

“I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun out there. We can joke around out there, which is good, because you can’t do that with a lot of other golfers and that will make it more enjoyable.”

For all his success, Spieth acknowledges he has work to do.

Jordan Spieth, left, of the US walks with Matt Jones of Australia during practice for the Australian Open last week.

“He’s a guy who isn’t fazed by the wind, he hits a nice little punch ball draw flight and he’s not letting up,” Spieth said of Jones.

“For me, 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 in order to win the tournament tomorrow.

“No matter where you’re ranked in the world, he’s played this golf course better than I have up until now and I’ve got to somehow overcome that.”

Spieth and Jones aside, scoring was again difficult with relatively few players shooting under par. Of those that did, two left themselves with an outside chance of toppling the leading two.

Rhein Gibson fired a three-under par 68 to leave him at five under, five shots off the pace. Former champion Adam Scott matched Gibson’s 68 to finish at one under, the nine-shot gap making a second Australian Open seemingly beyond a player who once ruled the world.

“You never know how they’re going to finish up but at least clawed into red figures and start tomorrow hopeful of something special,” Scott said.

His hopes seem forlorn. It’s hard to see both Spieth and Jones slipping up to that extent.

“I’d be more than happy to do that to get my hands on that trophy,” Jones said.

“It would be fantastic. It’s something I’ve thought about growing up, watching (Greg) Norman win it, watching Adam win it, watching all the guys win it.

“I’ve been close before and tomorrow I’m going to give it everything I can to have my name on that trophy alongside the likes of (Jack) Nicklaus and all those guys — that would be amazing.”