Jones equal fifth in Puerto Rico

Updated March 12, 2012 10:57:32

Two late bogeys proved costly as Australia's Matt Jones tied for fifth place behind winner George McNeill in the US PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open.

It was easily Jones's best finish of the year as he posted a 1-under-par 71 in Rio Grande to finish at 12-under.

It could have been a tie for second with Japanese star Ryo Isihikawa but for dropped shots at the 15th and 16th.

American McNeill birdied his last three holes to claim the title and deny Ishikawa a first US PGA Tour title.

Ishikawa had closed with a 68 that gave him a one-shot clubhouse lead.

McNeill, who started the day with a one-stroke lead, matched him with a birdie at 16, regained the lead with a birdie at 17 and added another birdie on the par-five finishing hole to complete a 69 for 16-under and claim his second career win.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson (71) and Boo Weekley (66) tied for third.

AAP

Tags: sport, golf, puerto-rico

First posted March 12, 2012 10:57:32

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Aussies finish fifth in Euro Nations Cup

Updated April 18, 2011 06:46:00

First-round leaders Australia fired a final-round six-under 66 to finish fifth behind defending champions Sweden in the European Nations Cup in Spain on Sunday.

Australian pair Karen Lunn and Katherine Hull, who had set the pace with a 65 on day one, charged up the leaderboard to finish on 16-under par overall, five strokes behind Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson.

The first nation to retain the trophy in the four versions of the event, the Swedes began the final round with a three-stroke lead and carded a four-under 68 for a 21-under total at La Sella Golf.

Germany and England finished tied for second on 18-under.

"It was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't be happier," Nordqvist told reporters.

"We had a fun team this week and it was exciting to pull out some great golf out there, so we're really happy."

Nordqvist rolled in the winning birdie putt after Gustafson chipped to three feet on the 18th green in front of a bank of waving Swedish flags.

"It means a lot having so many Swedes around here cheering us on," Nordqvist said.

"They made a big effort to come here and there were a lot of people by the 18th green, so it was very exciting."

English pair Laura Davies and Melissa Reid momentarily tied for the lead on the front nine, but couldn't keep their charge going down the stretch.

"We just didn't hole anything really all week," Reid said.

"But it's such a fun week."

Wales finished one shot back in fourth on 17-under after a final round of 68 by Becky Brewerton and Lydia Hall.

In total, 18 teams contested the tournament on the Jose-Maria Olazabal designed course in Denia, Alicante.

- AAP

First posted April 18, 2011 06:47:00

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