Matt Jones falls just short of a return to Augusta National
Matt Jones – file photo
Eight years ago, US based Sydney golfer Matt Jones won the Houston Open and earned a spot at the Masters the following week for the first time.
Today, Jones almost earned the right to again play next week’s Masters when he reeled off a stunning weekend at the 2022 version of the Valero Texas Open, failing by just two shots to catch the winner, J.J. Spaun who won his first PGA Tour event despite a double bogey at his first hole.
This time it is Spaun who gets to debut at the Masters next week.
For two time Australian Open Champion Jones, however, despite not winning, he earns a cheque for US$765,000 and while he will not get to play the Masters this year, his game is back after a tough run of events since his 3rd place finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions earlier this year.
“It was a good weekend. I had a good round going Thursday and let it slip, and then Friday I just played poorly and made a couple of mistakes and those mistakes are what cost golf tournaments out on this tour because everyone’s so good. Yeah, played great today, had a great playing partner, great group, so it’s always enjoyable.”
Aaron Baddeley produced one of his best finishes in several seasons on the PGA Tour when he tied for 18th.
