Win sets Day on way back to peak

FORMER world No.1 Jason Day has ditched the bodybuilding workouts that made him buff but also made him play badly, and a second win in 2018 has him refocused on being the best in the world again.

Day survived a wild final round at the US PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship and zoned in on his final three holes, including a near ace on the par-three 17th, to secure a two-shot win over rookie Aaron Wise and Nick Watney.

It was the Queenslander’s 12th PGA Tour win and second for the year and came after a winless 2017, which Day admitted was a “good kick in the butt”.

Day, 30, has made changes this year, rotating two caddies who are his “best mates” and trying to “keep things light” after more than a decade with coach and mentor Col Swatton atton at his side.

But, bigger than that, Day said the back issues that had plagued him “since I was 13” had disappeared after he stopped looking for a buff body and started doing the things that helped him be world No.1 in 2016.

“There was a moment where I was doing bodybuilding and it wasn’t really good stuff,” Day said after his win in Charlotte.

“I looked good, but it doesn’t pan out for me because my body started hurting. That was a step in the wrong direction.

“Now I’m not doing that stuff, I’m thinking about actual golf. I’m doing that to extend my longevity.

“So I’m happy with where my body is, I’m happy where my mind is. There’s no stress in my life … that’s when you play your best, I think.”

And while his immediate focus is on an-an other victory at the “fifth major”, the Players Championship this week, which Day won in 2016, the world No. 14’s main goal is to get back to No.1.

“When you’re walking around and there’s so many golfers in this world and you know that there’s no one better than you, that’s a pretty awesome feeling,” Day said.

“I know the feeling and what it felt like to be No. 1 and I know what I had to do to get there. This is a good kick in the right direction.”

I know the feeling and what it felt like to be No.1 and I know what I had to do to get there. This is a good kick in the right direction

JASON DAY