Matt Jones dominates with 5-shot victory at Honda Classic

Matt Jones cruised to a five-shot victory at the Honda Classic, posting 68 in a difficult final round at PGA National.

The 40-year-old Australian, who tied the course record with a 9-under 61 in Round 1 and entered the final round with a three-shot edge, sealed the deal on Sunday with another solid performance while his competitors crumbled. Jones beat his playing partner J.B. Holmes by nine strokes and carded the lowest score out of any player in the final eight pairings.

Jones reached 12-under for the tournament for a five-point victory over Brandon Hagy, who shot 66 and teed off nearly two hours before the final group.

The win marks Jones' second on the PGA Tour and first since the 2014 Houston Open. His margin of victory also ties for the largest in Honda Classic history.

"I've had some tough times in between then and now," Jones said afterward while fighting back tears. "Sorry, pretty emotional seven years. I just worked hard."

With the victory, Jones has earned $1.26 million and a spot in the upcoming Masters, a tournament he has only played once.

Here's how the top of the leaderboard finished:

Defending champion Sungjae Im finished in a five-way tie for eighth at 5-under par.

Phil Mickelson recorded a tied-for-25th result, and Chase Koepka - Brooks Koepka's younger brother - finished in a tie for 30th.

The PGA Tour heads to Austin, Texas, next week for the WGC-Match Play, a five-day event beginning on Wednesday, March, 24.