USA TODAY International Edition
Jones drives off to Honda win
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Thirteen years after introducing himself to the golf world with a near- miss at the 2008 Honda Classic, Matt Jones drove away from PGA National on Sunday with his second PGA Tour title.
The Australian kept his composure – and his lead – on the demanding Champion Course, winning the Honda Classic by five shots over Brandon Hagy. Jones avoided disasters at the dreaded Bear Trap for a 2- under- par 68 to finish at 12under 268.
The five- shot victory tied the largest in tournament history, matching Jack Nicklaus in 1977 and Camilo Villegas in 2010. Jones had gone 174 starts since winning his first PGA Tour title at the 2014 Houston Open, holing a chip in a playoff to beat Matt Kuchar.
“I’ve had some tough times in between that ( win),” an emotional Jones said afterward. “Seven years ... I had some tough times putting, worked hard, and it finally paid off.
“Daniel Berger said it great when he said winning a golf tournament’s like having a heart attack every hole. But it was probably the calmest I’ve been for a golf tournament for four consecutive days. You can’t get a tougher golf course to win on in these conditions.”
Jones had a chance to win the 2008 Honda Classic as a rookie – he was tied for the final- round lead with Luke Donald – but saw his hopes disappear with a rinsed ball at the Bear Trap. Jones finished tied for fourth behind winner Ernie Els.
Sunday was a different day for the 40- year- old Jones. His lead ballooned from one to four shots when Aaron Wise four- putted the 10th hole for a triple bogey. Jones overcame a short missed putt at the 11th for a bogey with three birdies on the back nine to coast.
“I’ve got a lot more experience, a lot more gray hair, and I’ve been in this situation before,” Jones said when asked about 2008 after the third round. “I’m quite comfortable in the wind. I just play a little safer. I don’t go at the pins.”
The victory improved Jones’ world ranking from No. 83 to the edge of the top 50. Despite his improved ranking, Jones isn’t in this week’s World Golf Championships- Match Play Championship in Austin, Texas, because the field was finalized last Friday. But Sunday’s win gets the two- time Australian Open winner into his second Masters.
Jones had all aspects of his game this week. He ranked first in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green ( 14.301) and second in Strokes Gained Around the Green ( 5.563).
“That’s the best I’ve hit it from tee to green for, ever,” said Jones, who went over $ 15 million in PGA Tour career earnings with the $ 1.26 million first prize. “And to be able to do it on this golf course is amazing.”
Jones shot a course- record- tying 61 Thursday – 10 1⁄ shots better than the av
2 erage score – to take a three- shot lead, only to fall three back after a 70. Jones dropped six shots behind leader Wise early in the third round but took advantage of Wise’s struggles – and his own solid play – to take a three- shot advantage into Sunday.
Hagy celebrated his 30th birthday Sunday with a 4- under 66 to finish second after a whirlwind week. Hagy wasn’t in the Honda field to start the week but flew from Scottsdale, Arizona, to South Florida on Tuesday night as he climbed the alternate’s list.
He was awakened Wednesday with news he has gotten into the Honda Classic field. Despite not playing a practice round, Hagy shot a secondround 62 to charge into contention. He bounced back from a 76 Saturday with a 66.
“I felt like I was playing with a little bit of house money, so I kept it pretty loose out there,” Hagy said. “This is a good week for me to set up the rest of the season.”
Wise had the six- shot lead but was 9 over on the final 31 holes to drop to 13th place. Wise missed six putts inside 5 feet during the final round, including three at the 10th hole.
Chase Seiffert shot the day’s best round, a 64, to tie for third place with Russell Henley ( 68), Brendan Steele ( 65), Denny McCarthy ( 67) and C. T. Pan ( 70).
J. B. Holmes played in the final group with Jones, but his hopes were quickly dashed with a bogey- double bogey start. Holmes shot 79 and faded to 46th.