N.j.'s Brett Jones To Join Brother Matt At Australian Open
By Mark Hayes
Matt Jones is no stranger to the Emirates Australian Open – but this time he’s coming with a twist.
The world No. 65 is the latest big name to commit to the quest for the Stonehaven Cup, but this time will return to his Sydney home alongside older brother Brett, who’ll make his Open debut aged 40 on Nov. 26-29.
They join an elite field including world No.1 Jordan Spieth and former world No.1s Adam Scott and Lee Westwood, Presidents Cup aces Marc Leishman and Steve Bowditch and 2011 Open Championship winner Darren Clarke.
Matt Jones, 35, who had his breakthrough win on the US PGA Tour in 2014, closed his 2015 season in style with a string of strong performances, including a T4 finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship in the FedEx Cup playoffs and leading the PGA Championship eventually won by countryman Jason Day at the halfway mark.
Returning to his home club at The Australian in Sydney in November, Jones will make his eighth Open start having finished in the top 10 three times, including being runner-up at The Lakes Golf Club in 2010.
The Jones brothers, both based in the United States, played together as pros just once in the 2005 Jacobs Creek Open in South Australia on the then Nationwide Tour before coming together again on the major championship stage at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Brett, a prolific winner in regional tournaments in the north-eastern United States, is teaching pro at the exclusive but low-profile Due Process Stable Golf Club in New Jersey. He has won six local area championships, including the NJSGA State Open in 2009, when he was named New Jersey PGA Player of the Year.
His top 20 finish in July at the 2015 PGA Professional National Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club enabled him to jojn Matt at this summer’s PGA Championship.
But with access to long-time mate and coach Gary Barter at his home at The Australian, he’s excited for an opportunity he thought might have slipped him by.
“I am honored to play in my national Open for the first time as a 40-year-old rookie – and the fact that I have the opportunity to share the experience with my brother makes it even greater,” Brett said.
“While playing in a major championship on the PGA TOUR is exceptional, there is something to be said for playing in a prestigious event in our home country, together with our family and friends, so we are thrilled to have the chance to do it again.
“Although we grew up playing many sports together, it’s surreal to be able to continue to do so at such a high level.
“We are very thankful and appreciative to have the chance to play together again in this Open at an amazing facility like The Australian Golf Club. I can’t think of a better way to cap what has been a stellar year for us both.”
The championship is owned by Golf Australia and is managed by Lagardere Sports with the assistance of TRP Sports.
The 2015 Emirates Australian Open, the 100th staging of the national championship, will be played at The Australian Golf Club from November 26-29.
The Emirates Australian Open is a flagship tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The winner will receive a minimum of 32 Official World Golf Ranking points.
