Jordan Spieth found himself in position to repeat as Australian Open champion on Sunday, but even after a series of opening missteps from overnight leader Matt Jones, the No. 1 player in the world came up one shot short.
Spieth turned in an even-par round of 71 and missed an eagle opportunity on the 72nd hole that would have forced a playoff.
Instead, he made birdie and finished 7 under, tying for second with another previous winner in Adam Scott.
Spieth, Scott and Jones traded the lead down the stretch Sunday, with the 2014 Shell Houston Open champion this time locking down his national open and a trip to the Open Championship.