PGA Champion Matt Jones might sound far-fetched to some but the last man in the field has every reason to believe a major championship boil over is on the cards.
The 33-year-old New South Welshman has added Tiger Woods and fellow Aussie Brendan Jones to the Christmas card list after Woods’ victory in Akron and Brendan’s withdrawal catapulted him into the field at Oak Hill.
Always a player with immense talent Jones is finally starting to fulfil some of his promise, fashioning together a nice season on the US Tour to sit 48th on the season long points list.
His crisp ball-striking ability makes this 200-1 shot a great bet at Oak Hill where accuracy is going to be a key factor given how dense the rough is.
Jones ranks fifth on the US tour in total driving, 10th in all-around ranking and 21st in ball striking.
“It’s been a good year so far so this is a nice reward,” Jones said.
“My game’s coming together and anyone who is playing here this week has a chance to win, it will be good to see how I compete.
“I have been driving the ball really well and statistically it’s the best I have ever so I have some confidence knowing I’m hitting it well.
“I just need to keep doing it this week.”
Jones has Australian coach Gary Barter over for the week to ensure he is at his peak for the event and heading into the PGA tour playoffs.
If he can find a way into the top 30 by season’s end he will have earned a ticket to the biggest events in golf for 2014 including the first three majors.
“My only goals now are to win and get into the FedEx Cup top 30 to get into that whole different category for next year,” he confirmed.
“I’m really close and just one good tournament from here could get me there.
“All the work I have been doing has been building up to this opportunity and hopefully we get there.”
Jones has a supporter in Masters champion Adam Scott, who says it’s by no means outside the realms of possibility the Sydney born Aussie can get it done.
“It’s possible. The talent is deep out here and if you turn it on anything can happen,” Scott said.
“It is obviously harder for a lower ranked player to stare down a big name player like a Tiger or a Phil but if they’re not up there you can feel like it might as well be me.
“If Matt lines everything up this week of course he can get in the mix. The hardest thing is how will he feel because he hasn’t got the experience in the majors.”
Barter is understandably talking up his charge.
“He’s the sort of player who should be playing all majors, he’s got that sort of game,” he said.
“We feel he’s here to compete, the course suits him. We’ve talked about how he can win this week.”
