Better Day is coming as golfer turns 30

NEWLY turned 30, Jason Day is adamant his next decade of golf will be even more productive than the last, despite coming off a season he describes as “a kick in the butt”.

Back playing at home for the first time in four years, Day will go into this week’s Australian Open in Sydney without a victory in 18 months.

The No.1 world ranking Day held for almost a year has tumbled to No.12 since March, he has to manage a degenerative disc problem in his back and, significantly, seven of the 11 players ranked above him are younger.

But Day believes the experiences of 2017 will stand him in good stead as he plans to not only get back on top but stay there long enough to be remembered as dominating in his era.

“I turned 30 just recently and I feel my 30s will be a lot better than my 20s,” said Day yesterday.

“I don’t just want to get back to No.1, I want to get back and stay there for a long time.”

He used the example of Greg Norman who held the No.1 spot for 331 weeks – “that’s legendary stuff and that’s what I want to be able to do.”

Day’s troubles in 2017 started early when “severely burnt out” after mighty seasons in 2015 (five wins) and 2016 (three wins including a major) left him struggling with the demands of being the world’s best player. If he gets back there he will “say no, politely” more to allow time for himself and his game.

Then Day’s mum Dening was diagnosed with cancer and he took her to the US for surgery and treatment. Happily her scans have been clear since.

Finally he made the decision to remove his great mentor Col Swatton from his career-long caddie role, while remaining as swing coach.

He’s installed childhood friend Luke Reardon on the bag.