Scott Settles for Fifth As Spieth Shines at Australian Open

Jordan Spieth is well on the way to being golf’s next big thing. A superstar in the making, many believe the American will be a future world number and win multiple Majors. It puts plenty of pressure on a young man who’s just 21 years old but Spieth’s already proven he can handle the big stage. After finishing runner up at the Masters this year, Spieth won his first tournament in 2014 with a dominant display at the Australian Open. The Texan now sits just 1 spot outside the world’s top 10 in just his third year as a professional.

Jordan Spieth became the first American to win the Australian Open since Brad Faxon in 1993 with a 6 shot victory in Australia’s most prestigious golf tournament. He beat a field which contained the world’s number 1 and number 3 players and past champions, while he also overcame trying conditions on the final day and a mishap with a marshal in his second round. Northern Irishman Rory McIlory was on the hunt to defend his 2013 title before the world’s best player went backwards on moving day, while the man he beat last year Adam Scott couldn’t go one better in 2014. The World number 3 was in the mix as he teed off in the final round but faded.

Superb Spieth Soars to Victory

While a strong breeze blew the hopes of many away on the final day Jordan Speith shot a stunning round that will go down in the tournament’s history. He was cool, calm and collected firing a course record 8 under, to finish at 13 under, the only man to complete the Open at under double figures.

Spieth was always a front runner in the tournament after an opening round of 67 round saw him head to the clubhouse with a 1 shot lead on Thursday. Spieth shot a 1 over 72 in his second round to remain the championship leader at the half way mark with a score of 3 under par. However the margin could have been greater if not for an incident early on day 2. A marshal accidentally stood on the American’s ball which laid just off the green on the third hole. Spieth who was only alerted to what happened by spectators, was left furious. He recovered for a par when a birdie looked certain and despite an angry beginning to the next hole the young gun settled into his round.

Spieth was joined by 2011 Australian Open champion Greg Chalmers and Brett Rumford at 5 under after a difficult day on moving day, while Adam Scott was also lurking as he chased his second Australian Open. But as a storm threatened on Sunday it was Spieth who stormed home. There was an absence of blemishes on his day 4 scorecard as he conquered the course in 63 shots. The champion called it the best round of his career before lifting the Stonehaven Trophy and collecting a cheque for $225,000.

Awesome Aussies Also Big Winners

Runner up Rod Pampling was the best of the Aussies. The 45 year old shot a final round 68 to finish 3 under par for the day and 7 under for the tournament. Brett Rumford finished 1 shot behind Pampling while Greg Chalmers missed a birdie chance on the final hole to tie for third. Chalmers had to be content with fourth marking his scorecard at 5 under for the Open. All 3 men though were also big winners, the trio of Aussies earning their spots at the Open Championship at St Andrews next year.

And while he might have finished tied for 66th with a score of 12 over, it was still a top tournament for Australian Scott Gardiner after he won a Lexus thanks to his a brilliant hole in one. His one shot wonder at the hole 11 on the opening day saw him claim the car and shot of the tournament bragging rights.

Pre- tournament all the talk was about the battle between the two big drawcards, Organisers had hoped there’d be a rematch between Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy after last year’s showdown in the final round, but although Scott stayed steady to eventually finish fifth, McIlory’s 5 over in the third round ended any hopes of back to back titles.