Rough Day on PGA

Aussie defiant after costly ‘crazy’ decision

JASON Day has defended the “crazy” decision that cost him his chance at the US PGA Championship title, saying he would probably do it again because he has the talent to pull it off.

Day finished tied ninth after closing with a one-under 70 to be seven shots behind winner Justin Thomas.

But the 2015 champion’s challenge was effectively ended a day earlier by a quadruple bogey on the last hole in his third round.

Six-time major champion Nick Faldo labelled Day’s attempt to go for the green from behind a tree – needing a big hook off pine straw around a bunch of trees – “one of the craziest decisions I’ve ever seen”.

Day’s shot ended up in a shrub, requiring a penalty drop en route to carding an eight.

“It wasn’t the way I planned that 18th hole going,” said Day yesterday.

“I’ll chalk it up to making a better decision next time.

“But with (then leader) Kevin Kisner in the middle of the fairway, my hand was forced a little bit. You don’t want to be too far back going into the last round.

“I was trying to hit a low hook and I slipped a little bit. Nine times out of 10, I’ve got that shot.

“Hindsight is great, but chipping out brought the water hazard in play.”

The 10-time US PGA Tour winner admitted he was likely to take the same sort of risk again in a similar situation.

“Unfortunately, I think I’d take it on again,” he said.

“That’s why some players are great. It’s the right shot if you’re willing to take the consequence.

“I’m really good at hitting into the junk, but I’m good at hitting out of the junk as well.

“I feel I can take on a lot of shots some people can’t.

“I feel I’m talented enough to do that; unfortunately it didn’t work out for me.

“I thought I had the shot but it clipped the tree and if it didn’t, I probably make (bogey) at worst.”

The Ohio-based Queenslander said his aggressive style has helped in past victories, including his maiden Tour win at the 2010 Byron Nelson Classic.

“My first win, I hit it through a tree (with a gap) the size of two feet during the last round,” he said.

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