Day’s off to bright start in Houston

JASON Day made a “step in the right direction” a week out from the US Masters, storming into contention on the opening day of the Houston Open, as Adam Scott also made a comfortable return to tournament golf with fans finally allowed back in.

Playing his first tournament since being diagnosed with COVID-19 last month, Scott was paired with world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, who has also missed two tournaments after a coronavirus positive.

The Gold Coaster said it was “fun to have a bit of volume out on the golf course” and felt comfortable around spectators despite not knowing how he contracted coronavirus last month.

Scott, who had to isolate for 10 days and couldn’t practise, carded an opening round 68 to be three shots behind leader Brandt Snedeker.

“I got off to a bad start and I didn’t panic and hung in there and hit lots of good shots, made a couple putts,” Scott said. “I can see this week is going to be one of those long weeks on the golf course. It’s a pretty relentless golf course.

“If I can see a little bit of improvement in the next three days, I might have a chance here this week and I’ll feel good about going to next week.”

Day (pictured) went one shot better than his countryman, as he prepares for the Masters, where he has three top-10 finishes and has never missed the cut.

“Well, I think I drove it half decently,” he said.

“I mean, when I did miss it, I missed it in pretty good spots, and then out of the rough I hit some nice iron shots to at least give myself a chance at getting up and down. It’s just a good step in the right direction.”