Matt Jones Claims Dominant Honda Classic Win
Matt Jones Claims Dominant Honda Classic Win
Matt Jones claimed his second PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic in dominant fashion, with a final round 68 securing a five-shot shot victory over American Brandon Hagy.
Matt Jones Claims Dominant Honda Classic Win
Matt Jones claimed a dominant victory at the Honda Classic, as a final round 68 meant a five-shot victory over Brandon Hagy.
Jones hadn't won on the PGA Tour since the 2014 Texas Open, but started the day three-shots clear of Aaron Wise, who, at one point during the third round, was six shots clear of Jones before spluttering to a five-over-par round of 75.
Related: 7 Golf Records That Will Never Be Broken
Starting with a comfortable lead, Jones birdied the first and fourth hole, with nearest challenger, Wise, making three consecutive birdies at the third, fourth and fifth hole to put the lead back to two shots.
Both men would bogey the seventh, but Wise would birdie the eighth to give himself a one-shot deficit going into the back nine.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
However, that deficit was soon back to four shots as Wise produced a catastrophic four-putt at the 10th hole to fall out of contention.
Despite a hiccup at the 11th, Jones would make consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th to extend his lead further.
Related: Best Putters
With Wise dropping further down the leaderboard after a double bogey at the 16th, Jones would pounce by holing a 15-foot putt on the 16th to put himself five shots ahead with two holes to play.
Sinking a tap-in par at the last, Jones secured his second PGA Tour title and a convincing five-shot victory.
Speaking after his round, Jones said: "I've had some tough times between my wins, and I'm pretty emotional because it's been seven years, but I've worked hard. I've had some tough times putting, but I've worked hard with my coach back in Australia and it's payed off.
"It's probably the calmest I've ever been at a golf tournament for four straight days, you can't get a tougher golf course to win on than this one in these conditions, so, to be able to do that on this golf course, is amazing and something I can build on for the future."
Jones' nearest challenger, Wise, faltered over the back nine, with a six-over-par 41 dropping the 24-year-old into a tie for 13th.
American Brandon Hagy ended up finishing solo second, his best ever finish on the PGA Tour. The 30-year-old managed a final round 66 to catapult himself up 16 places.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Alfred Dunhill Championship Leaderboard: Multiple Players In Title Fight Down Back Nine At Leopard Creek
The penultimate DP World Tour event of the calendar year is heading towards an exciting finish in South Africa...
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Marcus Kinhult Facts: 18 Things You Didn't Know About The Swedish Golfer
If you're looking to learn more about Swedish professional, Marcus Kinhult's life and career in golf, here are a number of facts...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin Published
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
The Masters Live Stream: How To Watch The Major
Here are all the details on how you can watch the Major wherever you are in the world.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Bermuda Championship Golf Betting Tips 2021
Who is the GM Tipster backing to win this week in Bermuda?
By Jeremy Chapman Published
-
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
By Matt Cradock Published