DAY WILLING TO PLAY IF HE CAN
GOLF: GOLF Jason Day says he would love to face off against Adam Scott at the Australian Open but the late-season Masters could complicate Australia’s top male golfers returning this year.
Day and countrymen Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith have been urged by former tour pro Mike Clayton to help Australian tournaments in a time of need by returning to play this summer without the need for a big appearance fee.
With less likelihood of getting major foreign stars here than usual, the presence of Australia’s big guns would be a huge boost.
But that will prove difficult with the US PGA Tour and organisers of the majors rescheduling events postponed. The British Open was cancelled, while the US PGA Championship will be played in August, the US Open in September and the Masters in November.
The Australian Open at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath and Australian PGA Championship in Queensland are likely to be held in the weeks after the Masters.
Former world No.1 Day says that is a big obstacle for the Australian Open.
“With regards to Mike Clayton’s comments, I understand where he is coming from because some of the Aussie guys get paid to go down there,” Day said from his Ohio home. “But I have to play my minimum 20 (US Tour) events to fulfil contracts and if I play the Masters at Augusta and still have to three events to play, it may put Australian Open in jeopardy.”
Day has faced criticism for playing just three Australian Opens as a professional but welcomed the possibility of a showdown with Scott if able to return.
The two major winners have not been in contention at the same Open since the 2013 edition at Royal Sydney and Scott said last week he “absolutely” still hoped to play in Australia this summer. Evin Priest