Green card lottery winner Brett Jones back for special Australian Open appearance

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This was published 8 years ago

Green card lottery winner Brett Jones back for special Australian Open appearance

By Adam Pengilly

His ticket to the US was won via a lottery for a green card, but Brett Jones has just one wish when he returns home for a special Australian Open appearance next month: "I just need to make sure that Australian flag is next to my name," Jones said, laughing.

"To be honest, I didn't look at the leaderboard during the [US] PGA because I shot three over on the first day and I thought, 'all right, I've got to shoot par or one-under the next day to make cut'. It wasn't worth looking."

In the big time: Brett Jones watches a tee shot during a practice round prior to this year's PGA Championship.

In the big time: Brett Jones watches a tee shot during a practice round prior to this year's PGA Championship.Credit: Getty Images

If he bothered to look now, Jones will realise the stars and stripes, rather than the southern cross, was shunted next to his name during the US PGA, where the 40-year-old New Jersey club professional made a slice of history alongside brother Matt.

Never before had brothers – one a touring professional and another a club professional – featured in the same major tournament, but after Brett qualified for the US PGA he thought it might be about time to make a trip back home.

The Jones boys: Brett Jones and Matt Jones during a practice round prior to this year's PGA Championship.

The Jones boys: Brett Jones and Matt Jones during a practice round prior to this year's PGA Championship.Credit: Getty Images

Jones has been in the US since he and his chemical engineer wife won green cards through a lottery to live and work in America.

"She asked her company for a transfer and basically that was the deal," Jones said. "Whoever got the job first, that was where we went. She asked for the transfer and had the job the next day.

"I basically came along for the ride. I'm an electrician by trade and my qualifications didn't transfer internationally. I didn't really like the electrical industry to start with, so I was like, 'what can I do?'

"I had hung out with [The Australian Golf Club professional] Gary Barter once a week in his teaching area and I thought I would have a go at this."

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So Jones shelved any thoughts of trying to make it on the tour alongside Matt and began work as the professional in an exclusive club an hour from Manhattan.

His late-blooming career had him qualify as one of the 20 club professionals to earn a berth at Whistling Straits for the US PGA and he will head to Matt's home course, The Australian, for the national championship.

"I have never been in a position for an invite - and I guess this year, having qualified for the PGA and having not been home for four years, I thought, 'all right, if I'm going to go home, I should ask for an invite and see what happens'," Jones said.

"It would be fun if I was paired with Matt, especially if it is a Saturday or Sunday. That would mean we're playing well. There's no expectations though. I don't really like setting them and I don't want to limit myself. I just want to have a good time and see where I'm at."

Defending champion and world No.1 Jordan Spieth will headline the Australian Open field alongside former US Masters champion Adam Scott and tour veteran Lee Westwood.

The Australian Open will be played from November 26-29.

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