MATT JONES followed in the footsteps of boyhood idol Greg Norman by winning the Australian Open on Sunday, holding off the challenge of world No. 1 Jordan Spieth and former champion Adam Scott.

    Australia’s Jones, 35, fought back from a horror start to his final round, dropping three shots in his opening two holes and also taking a triple bogey at the ninth, to win by a stroke

    The Sydney-born player regrouped to post a final-round 2-over-par 73 and claim the honors with an 8-under 276 total.

    Spieth missed a 15-foot eagle putt at the last that would have sent the event into a playoff, with his 71 ensuring a share of second place at 7 under with Australia’s Scott (65), who won in 2009.

    “I am just so happy to have my name on this trophy and it is something I have thought about since I first met Greg (Norman) when I was six years of age,” said Jones, ranked 81 in the world. “I tried hard not to think about that this week and you never know what sort of day you can have on the golf course as we saw with what happened over my front nine.”

    Jones’s victory in Sydney earned him a place in next July’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.

    However, it was a tense last few minutes as defending champion Spieth attempted to force a playoff, but his eagle putt slid by the hole with the two-time major winner ending with a birdie.

    He was gracious in defeat, singing the praises of his good friend.

    “I would have been pretty excited to be in a playoff with Matt as that would have added to this week as the crowds have just been unbelievable and much bigger than last year,” the American said. “But for Matt to win is well deserved.”

    Joining Jones at next year’s 145th British Open will be compatriots Rod Pampling and Nick Cullen.

    (SD-Agencies)