Jones Birdies First Playoff Hole; Wins Houston Open


After tying Matt Kuchar in regulation, Matt Jones chipped in from off the green to beat Matt Kuchar on the first playoff hole and win the $6.4 million Shell Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, Texas.

The magical shot by Jones went over a greenside bunker and rolled across the green and into the cup. In addition to winning his first PGA Tour event, the 33-year-old Aussie earned $1.152 million, 500 FedEx Cup points, a two-year Tour exemption, and an automatic spot in next week's Masters.

Jones said during a greenside TV interview that he "has a lot of [Masters] tickets to buy" for family and friends.

Kuchar met final-round disappointment for the second straight week. After closing with a 75 in last week's Valero Texas Open to drop into a tie for fourth, two strokes behind winner Steven Bowditch, he once again fell short to an Aussie player seeking his maiden victory.

The 35-year-old six-time Tour winner started Sunday with a four-stroke edge over Cameron Tringale and Sergio Garcia and was seemingly in the driver's seat through much of the back nine in Houston. But Kuchar bogeyed two of the final three holes for an even-par 72 to tie Jones, who posted a bogey and eight birdies - including a clutch one on the 72nd hole - for a 66.

Particularly disappointing for Kuchar was that his drive on 18 found the fairway, but he pulled his 214-yard second into the water guarding the green, opening the door for Jones, who had just drilled a 46-foot putt for birdie to reach 15-under and set up his dramatic chip-on on the first extra hole.

As is typical of golf, one player's disappointment is offset by another's exhilaration. "It's amazing," a smiling Jones told reporters. "It's been a while coming, been out here for seven years now, and it's good to finally get one as I've had a few chances. I'm quite happy right now.

"The tee shot I didn't hit that great, but the second shot was in a rut (in the bunker) and you can't get on the green from there so I decided to lay up. Then I've been working hard on my putting and chipping with my coach and as soon as that came out, it was exactly where I wanted it to (be).

"I actually told my caddie coming up here I would actually chip it in, so it was nice to do it," added Jones, who earned the final spot at Augusta National. "I have a lot of tickets to go and buy right now for a lot of family back in Australia and friends in Scottsdale, so I've got a lot of changes and a lot of things to go and do now."

Ending up two strokes back was Garcia, who closed with a 70, while three behind was Tringale (71). Shawn Stefani took solo fifth at 10-under after a 69, while another stroke back was Rickie Fowler (71).

Rounding out the top-10 finishers in a tie for seventh at 8-under 280 were Rory McIlroy, who fired the day's low round, a 7-under 65, Russell Henley (66), Brice Garnett (69), Ryan Palmer (69) and Retief Goosen (70).

Among the five players finishing at 7-under was 2011 Houston Open winner Phil Mickelson, who carded a 71.

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