Jones Ends Seven-Year PGA Tour Victory & Masters Return Wait.

5 years ago by Comments Off on Jones Ends Seven-Year PGA Tour Victory & Masters Return Wait.

Sydney-born Matt Jones brilliantly ended a seven-year PGA Tour winless drought and is also returning to The Masters after victory at the Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Jones, 40, was in a class of his own and leaving his rivals falling all about in the continuing windy and testing conditions and with Jones turning on a masterclass display and also celebrating 20-years a professional in signing for final round 68 and win by an impressive five shots at 12-under par.

Daylight was in second place with American Brandon Hagy signing for a 66 to be a distant runner-up on seven-under par.

Jones, and the first Australian to win anywhere in 2021, set-up victory in brilliant fashion with a career-low 61 on day one of the $US 7m event and while he fell back into the pack after a level par 70 on day two, he emerged from the car wrecks all about the course in the blustery conditions of day three to be leading by three shots.

Matt Jones wins a second PGA Tour title by five shots at the 2021 Honda Classic.

And it was an emoitionl Aussie in realising he had finally become a long overdue double PGA Tour winner’

“I am a bit emotional as seven years is as long time,” said Jonesin speaking with Steve Sands of the Golf Channel.

“The key these four days has been my ball striking. To be honest, I struck it amazing.

“I have a funny text that I sent someone, because I was hitting it pretty good on Tuesday, Wednesday, and I said, if someone beats me this week they have cheated, which I was pretty confident going into the week, which is not normal for me.

“So I was hitting it great on Tuesday, Wednesday, and something clicked, just clicked for me.

“I mean, it was was just so goof. I was very comfortable controlling the ball flight and trajectory all week. So it was great. And it’s something that I hope I can continue on with.”

Jones had led after 54-holes heading into the 2008 Honda Classic but he had to wait a further six-years in holing a massive birdie putt at the 72nd hole to tie American Matt Kuchur to send the Shell Houston Open into a play-off.  Jones then sensationally pulled the victory rug out from under ‘Kuch’ in chipping-in for birdie at the first extra hole.

Jones was headed that Sunday night on the special charter flight out of nearby Houston Airport bound direct to Augusta for a maiden Masters.

Now the proud Australian is returning the Georgia golfing gem and he has two full weeks to prepare unlike seven-years ago.

“It’s been a long wait, a seven-year wait,” said Jones.

“And it’s not easy to win out here. I’ve had a couple of chances, but they’re few and far between unless you’re the top guys, which they’re there regularly. But for me to close it out today on this golf course is amazing and it’s something that I can always look back on.

“The wins means I now qualify for a bunch of tournaments and that’s great.  It’s going to be nice heading back to Augusta for the Masters as that’s also been a long wait.”

The win also will see Jones jump some 33 places to what would be a career high of 50th on the World Rankings.

As well, Jones celebrates his victory with legendary Jack Nicklaus watching-on, in a year he celebrates his 20th year as a professsional and it was no surprise he should be emotional walking off the 72nd hole.

Jones’ performance left TV commentators on both sides of ‘The Pond’ in awe including CBS analyst Paul Azinger while fellow Sydneysider and four-time European Tour winner, Wayne Riley, and calling the action for SKY Sports, had Jones being handed the trophy post his opening round.

Jones had not qualified this coming week’s WGC – Dell Match-Play Championship while he also plans to take the week off of the Valero Texas Open so as to be fully-prepared for the Masters and then the bigger tournaments on the PGA Tour he will now qualify.

“Just belief that I can do it,” was Jones response when asked what the win will do for him.

“I mean it’s been seven years, it’s been a tough seven years, I’ve had ups and I’ve had downs, as all golfers have, but, I mean, it gets me into a lot of big tournaments now and as I said earlier, I can go prep for Augusta, which is nice.

“The last time I had a four days to prepare and it was a bit tough, so I’m looking forward to it.”

 



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