His Day of reckoning
THIS week’s Australian Open is the beginning of Jason Day’s climb back to the top of the world rankings.
The former world No. 1 has slipped to 12th, just one spot ahead of fellow Aussie Marc Leishman, after his first winless season since 2013.
Day ( pictured) is returning to Australia to play for the first time since that year, when he won the World Cup with Adam Scott, and will take on world No. 2 Jordan Spieth at the Australian Golf Club this week.
Spieth, the defending Australian Open champion, used his first victory in the event in 2014 as a springboard to two major wins, including the Masters, within six months of his success.
With a turbulent year, which included his mother Dening’s successful cancer battle, behind him, Day knows “in my heart I will climb that mountain”.
“It’s going to be a difficult one, but I’ve had a taste of it, and for me it was very stressful being No. 1 – all the demands that came with that,” he said.
“I feel very motivated. I think my 30s are going to be better than my 20s and I’m very motivated to get back there.”
Day, who turned 30 earlier this month, was world No. 1 for 51 weeks in 2015 and 2016.
He wants to get his next victory this week, in a tournament he has always longed to win.
“We always talk about major c hampionships and playing in and winning majors, and for me, I grew up watching the summer of golf in Australia and more so the Australian Open,” Day told ABC Grandstand radio.
“Being able to watch that, I always wanted to win the Stonehaven Cup. It’s always been on my bucket list to hopefully one day hold up that trophy.
“It would be really, really nice to be able to do that this year, but obviously I can’t get ahead of myself … because there is going to be some stiff competition in Sydney.”
Day is a $ 5.50 second favourite with the TAB to salute this week, behind Spieth ($ 3), who will be playing without long- time caddie Micheal Greller.
Instead, Spieth’s coach, Australian Cameron McCormick, will carry his bag as he looks for a third Australian Open title.