Back to work for Day after title win

JASON Day admits he did not stop to savour his droughtbreaking victory at Torrey Pines so intent is he on reclaiming golf’s No. 1 ranking.

The day after notching his first win in 20 months at the US PGA Tour event in San Diego, Day returned to his temporary practice base at Palm Springs in the Californian desert to prepare for this week’s tournament at Pebble Beach.

The 30-year-old Queenslander says he has not been this determined since before surrendering a 47-week reign as world No. 1 to Dustin Johnson last February.

“I was straight back into it. I got a solid week of practice there last week and then the past two days [at Pebble Beach] have been really good,” Day said yesterday.

“The win at Torrey Pines was great because it meant the hard work I put in during the off season is really paying off. I wanted to get off to a good start this year, and I did.

“But the only way to get back to No. 1 is to win consist- ently and you can’t do that without putting in the hard work.”

Dropping to world No. 14 before defeating Swede Alex Noren in a six-hole playoff at Torrey Pines eight days ago, Day has clawed back to No. 10 in the rankings.

“It’s very tough up the top of the rankings right now, with how Dustin and [world No. 2] Jon Rahm are playing, as well as a number of other guys including Jordan [Spieth] and Justin [Thomas],” Day said.

“I’ve got a long way to go. But you’ve got to start some- where and you’ve got to take little steps.”

The big-hitting Johnson, who kicked off 2018 with an eight-shot victory in Hawaii, says he was already feeling the pressure from Day and co.

“If I don’t play well, there’s a lot of really good players that are playing really well so it’s going to be tough for me to keep it,” Johnson said.

Other Aussies at Pebble Beach include Adam Scott, Cam Davis, Greg Chalmers, Matt Jones, Aaron Baddeley, Cameron Percy and Rod Pampling.