Rod Pampling enjoyed a few Bundies, then shot 61 at the Australian Open
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Rod Pampling enjoyed a few Bundies, then shot 61 at the Australian Open

A photo of Rod Pampling
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Don't ever let anyone tell you that alcohol can't improve your golf game. Rum almost powered Rod Pampling to an incredible Australian Open victory.

Pampling began the final round at The Australian Golf Club a full 14 shots back of leader Matt Jones. With seemingly nothing to lose, Pampling imbibed a little pre-round.

"I had a couple of Bundies (Bundaberg rum)," Pampling said after the round. "It was nothing major, just a couple of nice social drinks. I normally don't drink during the tournament but ... at 4 over you really didn't think much was going on.

"So, yeah, I guess it fueled up the tank and I came out on fire."

That he did. And Pampling closed out the round with a 70-foot eagle putt that gave him a final round of 10-under 61, breaking defending champion Jordan Spieth's course record from 2014, which also came in the final round, by two shots.

Pampling finished a 6-under 278 for the tournament, which left him with a long wait in difficult scoring conditions. However, he came up two shots short of Jones, who made birdie on the final hole to win on his home club. The consolation prize was, by his finish, Pampling earned a spot in the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

"Obviously, you want to hold the trophy up," he said, "but it's certainly awesome to be getting back into the British again."

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Ryan Ballengee

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