DAY WILL SKIP PGA
FORMER world No.1 Jason Day is to bypass golf on the Gold Coast this summer for a hit-and-run mission to the Australian Open in Sydney.
The sinking feeling for golf fans in Queensland is understandable with the charismatic figure not having played in his home state since 2011.
There will be no dream appearance by Day at the Australian PGA at Royal Pines (November 30-December 3).
When the champion golfer said in June that he would have to choose between the Australian Open or the PGA for family reasons, there was only going to be one outcome.
The bigger picture is to celebrate his long-awaited homecoming because it’s understood he has locked in a firm commitment to play at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney (November 23-26).
Day has long coveted winning his national Open and having his name on a trophy won by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth.
In a recent interview Day implied playing the Open would win over a PGA stop.
“I am tending to lean more towards the (Australian) Open,” Day told AAP.
“It’s been one tournament I’ve always wanted to win, especially with the names (on the trophy). It’d pretty cool. I’d like to get my name on that.
“I remember every summer as a kid growing up, you’re watching guys like Craig Parry and Rod Pampling playing the Australian Open.”
“I won the low amateur at The Australian (in 2004) a long time ago ... and I enjoyed the course, but I haven’t played it since the (design) changes and I’d look forward to going back because it’s been a while.”
Day hasn’t played on home soil since 2013 when he helped Australia win the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne by taking individual honours.
His last Australian Open visit to Royal Sydney the same year ended with a tie for sixth.
The 29-year-old was set to play in the Aussie Open last year but a back injury led him to withdrawing. Injury also prevented a return in 2014 and the birth of second child Lucy put a line through 2015.
Day’s commitment will set up a terrific Open with twotime champion Jordan Spieth in the field and Adam Scott expected to join him.
Day feels he is finding some strong form. He finished in the top 10 at the PGA Championship in golf’s final major of the year and tees off tonight in Boston’s second of the FedexCup play-off tournaments.