Day feeling refreshed after Trump’s travels delay his arrival

FORMER world number one Jason Day is feeling refreshed ahead of the British Open – because President Trump delayed his travel plans.

The Australian did not arrive at Royal Birkdale until Monday and did not play the course until Tuesday after arriving later than planned from the United States.

Day originally intended to arrive on Sunday but, after learning a connection in New York would be delayed because of President Trump’s movements, he decided to book a later f light.

He believes that could now work to his advantage as his arrival at Augusta over a week before this year’s Masters proved counterproductive. The 29-year-old said: “I had three weeks off before this, so I could have got in early.

“I was supposed to come in on Sunday but I was flying through JFK and President Trump was there and there was a bunch of delays.

“So I just decided to move my f light back a little bit later. President Obama held me up one time flying out of Palm Springs, so I just didn’t bother with it. It was quite nice, I got to spend more time with the kids at home.”

Day may have had limited time to play Birkdale but his preparations have already prompted the introduction of a new local rule.

Because of winds, Day considered playing the ninth hole via the 10th fairway but, because that would require hitting over a grandstand, organisers made that option out of bounds.

“We just asked, but I understand the safety issue,” Day said.

“[Now] if you lose one on the wind or it bounces awkwardly and you’re a foot on the [10th] fairway you’re out of bounds. It’s a little unfair but R&A have obviously made that rule for a purpose.”

Having spent 41 weeks at number one in 2016, Day has fallen to sixth after a difficult year.

An emotional Day said: “I had the scare with my mum at the start of the year. When you feel like you’re going to lose someone that is very close to you, there’s nothing you want to do more than just be with them and you don’t even want to think about playing golf.

“Saying that, everything seems like it’s kind of coming back into balance for me. I’m now able to focus on just really getting after it and working hard.”