Matt Jones holds off Louis Oosthuizen

Matt Jones won his second Australian Open title in four years on Sunday after a two under par 69 in the final round proved just enough for a oneshot victory over major winner Louis Oosthuizen.

There was late drama when Oosthuizen finished with an eagle to draw within a shot of the lead, but Jones, despite finding a bunker from the 18th tee, held his nerve to nail a five-foot par putt on the final green and secure the title.

Jones, the overnight leader, ended on 15-under 269 for the tournament to raise the Stonehaven Cup for the second time at The Australian Golf Club, where he is a member and also secured his 2015 triumph. “It’s very special when it’s your national open and to do it two times is something that’s pretty unbelievable right now,” said the Arizonabased 39-year-old.

Jones picked up at least three shots over the back nine in the first three rounds so would have been confident of victory when he turned around at level par with his three-shot overnight lead intact. He walked hand-inhand with one of his daughters at one point and the back-nine birdies duly arrived at the 13th and 14th holes, with the Australian looking to have sealed the title when he nailed a 30-foot putt for another at the 17th.

It was not going to be that straightforward, however, and Oosthuizen, who had also picked up three birdies on the back nine, triggered a late scare with an eagle three at the last that left Jones needing to par the final hole for victory.

Jones’s ball was in a bunker when the roar went up for Oosthuizen’s final putt but the Australian was unaware that the South African had picked up an eagle and his second shot ended up in a rough patch of bark.

His third shot got him back on the fairway, however, and a well-judged chip gave him a short putt to clinch his third professional title.