Matt Jones, Rod Pampling, Nick Cullen earn spots in '16 Open Championship

Rod Pampling carded a course-record 61 at the Australian Open on Sunday with a 60-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole that earned him one of three available spots in next year's Open Championship.

After winning the 100th playing of the Australian Open, Matt Jones also claimed a place in golf's oldest major in 2016 along with Nick Cullen, who finished tied for fifth at The Australian Golf Club.

Pampling broke Jordan Spieth's mark at the course, where the American finished tied for second on Sunday with Adam Scott.

The third major next year will be played at Royal Troon from July 14-17.

The next spots available for entry into the field at Royal Troon are up for grabs at the Asian Tour's Thailand Golf Championship, which will be held Dec. 10-13.

In his career, Pampling owns two PGA Tour victories, coming at the 2006 Bay Hill Invitational and the 2004 International.

Pampling bogeyed his first hole Sunday, then played the next 17 in 11 under, recording nine birdies -- including 2s on three of the four par-3s on the course -- and an eagle.

His birdie on the par-4 17th put him at 8 under on the day, level with Spieth's record, and then the 46-year-old Australian made a 60-foot eagle putt on the 18th to break the mark.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet," Pampling said. "I was just trying to get it close on the last, but it tracked nicely and went in. That was a bonus."

His runner-up finish last year at the Australian Open also earned him a trip to this year's Open Championship at St. Andrews, where he missed the cut.

Pampling had a mid-morning start Sunday because his 54-hole total of 4-over was well off the lead. He initially told his family he'd be on a plane and probably home in Brisbane, an hour's flight from Sydney, by late afternoon.

But when he finished, he was so close to the lead, he had to remain at the clubhouse in case of a playoff.

"That was the plan ... my three kids, they're at home now, they're going to be like, `Why aren't you coming (home) now,' but hopefully they saw the putt (on the 18th) and they'll realize why now."

He said he'd never shot 10 under in a tournament round before. He opened a Web.com Tour event earlier this year by going 9 under in his first two rounds.