World No.2 Spieth shot a four under 67 in the wind at The Australian Golf Club to climb to outright eighth place – five shots behind winner Cameron Davis – finishing with a mighty eagle on the par-5 last hole.

It was the three-time major champion's "worst" result at the Championship, having won, finished runner-up, then won again in the previous three years.

Spieth described it as an "almost" week, having struggled with his putter for the first three days.

Jordan Spieth watches as a putt clides by early in his final round: PHOTO: William West/AFP/Getty Images.

But he was elated by the way he played in the final round, especially tee-to-green, and believed it would hold him in great stead.

"It was a round that could have very easily been a very special round," said Spieth, who famously shot a course record 63 to win the Stonehaven Cup on the same course in 2014.

"I really felt like I shot 62 today...I had so many looks (at birdie putts).

"I probably hit the ball a lot better than I did the last few years in this tournament."

Spieth said he also found a "trigger" that improved his putting on Sunday and his birdie misses were more due to misreads or wind.

"I will take a lot of momentum from today's round going into next week and next season."

RIGHT: Spieth said he was pleased with his form heading into next week's event in the Bahamas. PHOTO: William West/AFP/Getty Images

That should serve as a loud warning to Woods, returning from his latest back surgery, and the others in a high-class 30-man field at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas starting Thursday.

Three years ago Spieth went there straight from his six-shot Australian Open win and closing 63 and blew the field away to win by 10 shots.

Spieth had his Australian swing coach Cameron McCormick caddying for him this week and said the feedback they gained together could prove as valuable next season as his past wins in this tournament have been.

The loss of his Australian Open title certainly didn't put Spieth off returning to an event and country he enjoys, although he is a long way off deciding his schedule that far ahead.

"Certainly this kind of off-season, the way I did it this year has been very successful for me in the past," he said

– Neil Harvey, Australian Associated Press.