Cronulla boys Matt and Brett Jones are set to make history as the first Australian brothers to play in a modern major championship together at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
While Matt’s inclusion in the championship is not a surprise considering he’s a US PGA tour winner and ranked world no.75, Brett is making his major debut at 40, qualifying as a club professional out of Due Process Stable in Colts Neck, New Jersey.
The PGA Championship holds 20 spots open each year for the best club professionals in the country and Jones finished birdie, birdie to finish tied fifth in their qualifier to book his place.
Brett, who moved to the USA in 2003 and has worked for a handful of clubs in the New Jersey area, holed out from a bunker on the 17th and drained a 35-footer on 18.
“It’s great to be playing in a tournament with my brother and even better that it happens to be a major, I am looking forward to it, I have the family here. It’s awesome,” Brett told AAP.
“I am just hoping to play the way I know I can and then see what happens. If I put up my best I don’t think the cut should be an issue but it is my first major so we will see.”
While excited to have the opportunity to play, older brother Brett has no desires to become a regular on the US tour.
“I am 40 and have a family with kids so I am not prepared to drag them around and try to be a tour member but getting into this tournament each year is a goal for me,” the New South Welshman said.
“I have been close the last few years before this and hopefully this is not a one and done and I can play in it a few more times in my career.”
Matt never doubted this day could come and believes his brother can make the cut without a doubt if he keeps his nerves in check, but the 35-year-old younger brother has loftier goals.
“I am playing well right now. If the course firms up to separate the field a little more I think I can really aim for something big, worst case top 10,” Matt said.
“Something big is really close. Golf is a fickle game and changes quickly but if I can control my ball and trajectory I will be happy. When I have control of it I can be confident.”
The last time the pair played a professional event together was the now defunct Jacob’s Creek Open in Adelaide in 2006, where they both Monday-qualified for two open spots.
On that occasion, the record both missed the cut with Matt shooting 76-72 and Brett 79-79.
