Matt Jones lifts Houston Trophy

he 33-year-old from Sydney produced two of the greatest shots of his life to claim Houston Open and to secure the very last spot in the elite field of the forthcoming Augusta Masters

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April 7, 2014: Australia’s Matt Jones couldn’t secure a Masters entry last year. However, this Sunday the 33-year-old from Sydney produced two of the greatest shots of his life  to claim Houston Open  and to secure the very last spot in the elite field of the forthcoming Augusta Masters.

 

Jones claimed his first US PGA Tour win by chipping in for a birdie from 30 metres, in a sudden-death playoff against America’s Matt Kuchar. This is the fourth win by an Australian in last eight tournaments.

 

On the final day, Jones fired a six-under-par 66 at the Golf Club of Houston, highlighted by rolling in a 46-foot birdie putt on the last which got him into the playoff.

 

[highlight]  The win means everything to me right now because that’s what we play for is to win, and to have Augusta as a reward for that win is amazing [/highlight]

It was a stunning turnaround after an opening hole bogey had him seven shots adrift of Kuchar’s lead.

 

“I walked up there and told my caddy I was going to chip it in, and from my angle it’s hard to tell if it’s going to go in or not.

 

“When I saw it disappear it’s probably the happiest I’ve been on the golf course,” AAP report said.

 

Jones will be the seventh Australian in the Masters challenger list along with defending champion Adam Scott, Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Steve Bowditch, John Senden and an amateur Oliver Goss.

 

Jones, like last week’s winner Bowditch, will be making his maiden appearance at Augusta National.

 

“Going to Augusta is amazing,” said Jones.

 

“The win means everything to me right now because that’s what we play for is to win, and to have Augusta as a reward for that win is amazing.

 

“I can’t wait to get there and get some practice rounds in and hopefully play well, and hopefully the Aussies can win three in a row.

 

“I’ve watched a lot of golf on TV at the Masters. You get a little idea, nothing like playing it, so I’ll play a practice round hopefully on Tuesday, Wednesday, and get an idea for the course from there.”

 

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