Memories of watching Greg Norman and Tiger Woods compete on his home course inspired Matt Jones to a two shot lead early on the second day of the Australian Open in Sydney.
The 35-year old Jones added a three under par 68 to his opening 67 to grab the clubhouse lead at seven under par in calmer and cooler conditions compared to Thursday’s extremely hot and windy weather.
Jones grew-up some 20-minute drive from The Australian Club where was first a member as a 15-year old, and while he’s not played the course as regularly in recent years given he’s now living in Arizona, the 2014 Shell Houston Open winner recalled his first Australian Open experiences.
Matt Jones looking to follow in the footsteps of boyhood idol Greg Norman
“Like most young Australian golfers, Greg Norman was my idol and I used to roam the fairways as much as I could following Greg around the course whenever he competed in an Australian Open here at the Australian Club,” said Jones.
“Then when Tiger competed for a first time here in Sydney in 1996 I remember being excited also in following him.
“It’s been pretty cool to look at the black-and-white photographs of the former champions in the clubhouse and to have my name on the trophy beside all those great golfers would be amazing.”
Jones moved to the States where he has been competing on the PGA Tour full-time since 2008 and after a career high of a second in 2013 he broke through in April last year in denying American Matt Kuchar to win the Shell Houston Open.
This past PGA Tour season Jones, who married a former Miss Idaho and now has two children, went close to winning the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits when leading after two rounds and gaining worldwide interest when he played a shot from a marquee on that second day.
Jones eventually shared 21st place behind fellow Australian Jason Day.
However the current World No. 82 is not exempt into any of the 2016 Majors and with three places on offer this week into next year’s Open Championship Jones would dearly love to be teeing up next July at Royal Troon.
“The Open is always the one Major I’ve always want to win and it’s probably my favourite because it’s similar to playing golf in Australia,” he said.
“That’s why I’m playing an Australian Open because if you win you get a start in the Open.”
Also looking to secure a place in The Open is Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts who is making his debut in the event and benefitting from the guidance of his long-time Australian-born caddy Brian Nilsson.
Colsaerts posted the lowest score early on day two, a five under par 66 to move into a clubhouse share of fourth place.
“Through Brian, I’ve been to Australia many times to compete and also just to play social golf,” said Colsaerts.
“So on top of looking to win this week if I could secure one of the places into next year’s Open Championship that would be a great way to end my year.”
And World No. 1 Jordan Speith, who is out in the afternoon half of the draw, celebrated Thanksgiving Day with a birdie at his first hole and then birdied the fourth to move inside the top-10 in the defence of his title.
