US PGA: Jason Day wins in record style

BY JOHN HUGGAN AT WHISTLING STRAITS

It has always been seen as just a matter of time before Jason Day broke through and won one of golf’s four most important events. The swing was too good, his temperament too even and his putting stroke too pure for it not to happen sooner rather than later.

Still, for long enough, “later” has been looking the more likely of the two possibilities. As many as six times over the last five years, Day finished in the top-four at a major championship without recording that elusive maiden victory. It was, for one so obviously gifted, a period of enormous frustration.

Jason Day poses with the Wanamaker trophy and his wife Ellie and son Dash after winning the 2015 PGA Championship. PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

“It’s very difficult to close on a Sunday at a major championship,” Day pointed out in his pre-championship press conference. “But I think the more times I put myself there, the more opportunities I give myself, sooner or late it’s going to happen, I know that.

“I see this as more of a learning time for me. Hopefully, I’m building something for the future, a situation where I can feel a lot more comfortable and can just go out and attack a lot easier.”

Job done ... Day hugs his caddie and mentor Col Swatton on the 18th green after tapping in for the win.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images.

Prescient words, and words Day will never again have to utter. With a final round of 67, one that included a few wobbly moments but no knockdowns, Day broke through to claim the US PGA Championship – he is the fifth Australian to do so after Jim Ferrier, David Graham, Wayne Grady and Steve Elkington – and a cheque for $1,800,000 at Whistling Straits. His major championship record-setting 20-under par aggregate of 268 was three shots clear of a chasing pack led by the new World No.1, Jordan Spieth. South African Branden Grace was third, two shots farther away from the new champion.

“The path I was on, I never expected to be here,” he said. “But walking up the 18th was an amazing experience. There were a few times out there when I had to pull myself back to the present. I had to keep telling myself it wasn’t over. To finish with a birdie and two pars felt fantastic.

“I didn’t know my score is a record in all majors. That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment too. It’s a fantastic record to hold. I had a lot of fun out there today. It didn’t feel like work. But I wasn’t going to stop fighting until it was over. I especially enjoyed the 18th hole, when I had about a half-foot putt to win. Today is something I will never forget.”

ALSO: Final leaderboard  |  Final round highlights  | Day's trophy presentation

So yes, it was Jason’s day, a fact that will come as a shock to only a few of golf’s more astute observers. By way of example, fellow Aussie Jack Newton once had this to say of golf’s newest major champion: “I don’t think there is a better young player technically than Jason Day. But there’s more to it than hitting a golf ball.”

It’s a good start though. And Day has always been a favourite of the game’s top swing instructors.

“Jason’s club is so ‘on plane’ it is amazing,” says David Leadbetter, who coached Nick Faldo to six major titles. “His angles are great. He makes a beautiful three-quarter arm swing that is very repetitive. Which is why he hits so many fairways. And when he does miss it is invariably by a narrow margin.”

Day plays a shot from the rough on the 15th hole during the final round. PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images.

“Jason arrived on Tour really cocky,” points out Peter Kostis, who works with former European No1, Paul Casey. “He was going to set the world on fire. But it didn’t quite happen right away. He reacted well to the adversity though. He has always had the desire. All he needed to learn was how to channel his cockiness – and I mean that in a good way.”

“Jason is technically aware of what works for him,” asserts Pete Cowen, who re-built the swings of Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood when both had all but lost their games. “With all good players, the key is reducing their shot deviation pattern, so that they can still play when they are uncomfortable with their swings. It’s that determination and desire to do it no matter what happens that separates the stars from the rest. You have to be able to accept the bad shot and keep moving forward. Jason does that beautifully.”

Day’s fellow players were also all but united in their praise for one of the most popular personalities on Tour.

“He’s been knocking on the door for quite a while now,” said now former World No.1, Rory McIlroy. “He was second to me at Congressional four years ago. I’m delighted for him.”

Day celebrates making a long birdie putt on the 7th hole during the final round. PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images.

McIlroy’s sentiment was one echoed by other luminaries, notably Phil Mickelson. The American, now a five-time major champion, endured a long period of frustration before breaking through at the highest level when he won the 2004 Masters aged 33.

“What’s impressive about Jason’s game is that he plays well on a variety of golf courses,” said the Californian. “He plays well at the Masters. He plays well here. He played well at St. Andrews. He just plays well in a lot of different conditions. That says a lot about him.”

“I don’t think Jason ever doubted himself,” was the verdict of fourth-place finisher, Justin Rose. “He always knew it was going to happen. He’s young too. He had time on his side. So there was never any need for him to panic. I’m pleased for him that he answered the question though.”

“Jason is a hell of a player,” chimed in Brooks Koepka, who finished tied fifth. “He’s one of the best out here. That’s why he’s up there. People say he should have won more, but he’s been hurt for a long time. It’s nice to see him healthy and playing really well.”

Not surprisingly, Spieth joined in the chorus of praise for the current player who, more than anyone perhaps, has paid his dues in the majors.

“Jason was swinging as hard as he could off every tee and every single drive was right down the middle of the fairway,” he said. “Typically in a major you’re looking for somebody to miss a couple of shots and just feel some nerves. But he went about it today like a seasoned veteran. It was almost like he was winning his fifth or sixth major.

Jordan Spieth makes birdie at the 6th hole but ultimately he would have to settled for second place, which was enough to move to No.1 in the world ranking. PHOTO: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

“I wouldn’t say I was surprised, but I was amazed he kept pulling driver and kept hitting it in the tight zones. I probably would have been hitting 3-woods just to keep the ball in play. But he proved me wrong. Each time he took the club back, I had hope. And each time the ball came off the face, the hope was lost.”

Spieth, of course, had the consolation of his promotion from No.2 to No.1 on the world rankings. Remarkably, the 22-year old is only the second American to achieve such a feat this century, Tiger Woods the other.

“This is as easy a loss as I’ve ever had because I felt l couldn’t do much about it,” he said with a smile. “And I’ve also accomplished one of my life-long goals. That will never be taken away from me now. I’ll always be a No.1 in the world. It’s a huge confidence builder to be right now the best in the world. And second best behind Jason Day this week, of course.”

Of course.