There has been something of a Day family reunion since Jason arrived back in the country last week ahead of the Emirates Australian Open. When the former World No.1 met with the media for a chat in the lobby of the luxurious Darling Hotel at Star City on Monday afternoon, his mum was upstairs baby-sitting his nephews. He smiled as he revealed she continues to be in good health.

Back in May, Day broke down in tears as he withdrew from the WGC-Dell Match Play Championship after Dening was diagnosed with lung cancer. Later that week, she had surgery and spent four weeks recuperating with Jason alongside at his American home in Ohio.

“But she’s stubborn,” Day grinned. “I said ‘stay, you don’t have to work’. But she wanted to come back to Australia and go back to work because she was bored.”

She was far from bored during the opening round of the Australian Open as son Jason reeled of a clutch of birdies early and then dazzled the large gallery with powerful ball-striking and terrific putting.

Huge crowds wait for Jason Day on the 9th green. PHOTO: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

Walking outside the gallery ropes with the masses, the diminutive Dening sometimes struggled to catch a glimpse of her boy but she could have gauged how he was going by the rapturous applause that followed complete silence … for each of his eight birdies.

The Queenslander ultimately signed for an opening round five under 66 to share third place alongside South Australia’s Nick Cullen, three strokes behind young New South Welshman Cameron Davis.

“She’s seen one of my wins with the World Cup, so it would be really nice to be able to try and win this one for her.” – Jason Day.

Day said he only caught a glimpse of his mum a few times during the round but knew she was there in the background. He now hopes he can maintain the good form and win the Australian Open for his mum.

“I only saw her a couple of times, but she likes to stay behind the scenes.  She kind of stays away a little bit, but I saw her a couple of times out there with my nephew, Cooper,” Day said after his round.

“It reminds me of the old times when she used to watch me. I’m just glad I played good enough, so she didn’t have to walk off the golf course again. She can be a little hard sometimes, but that’s what got me to the position I’m in today.

"Her being strict and hard on me forced me to do the right things off the course and obviously getting prepared for playing tournaments and that’s the reason why I prepare the way I do today.

Jason Day hits an approach to set up his final birdie of the opening round. PHOTO: William West/AFP/Getty Images

“It’s great to see her out and looking healthy because at the start of the year it didn’t look so well, and I haven’t been able to play in front of her a lot as a professional.

“She’s seen one of my wins with the World Cup, so it would be really nice to be able to try and win this one for her.”

Despite a double bogey on his second last hole, the long par-4 8th, Day was in great spirits when he walked off the course. He signed autographs and posed for selfies with kids, who had made up a significant proportion of the gallery numbers that followed him during the morning.

“It’s been four years since I’ve been here, so I think I owe it to everyone that wants an autograph or wants a picture, to be able to stop and give it to them.” Day said.

“They were very supportive of not only me, but the whole group, they’re great fans and to be able to hopefully make someone’s day, is nice to be doing at the end of the day.”

No doubt his Mum would be proud of what she saw inside, and outside, the ropes.