Day defends ‘crazy’ shot

Jason Day has defended the “crazy decision” which cost him a realistic chance to win a second US PGA Championship title at Quail Hollow.

Day was four shots off the lead playing the final hole of his third round when he attempted a highly risky recovery shot around a tree just two yards in front of him.

The former world No 1 succeeded only in sending his ball into some bushes, from where he had to take a penalty drop

He ended up threeputtingtocardaquadruplebogey eight and the Australian insisted: “Nine times out of 10 I’ve got that shot. It was a very, very simple shot. That can be an achilles heel for me.” won. I was jealous that Sergio (Garcia) won, that Brooks (Koepka) won, that Jordan won. I wanted to be doing that, and I wasn’t.

“There’s only four of them in a year and to be one of them, a major champion, is really cool. I know that ‘major champion’ will never be taken away from after my name. Hopefully I’m going to win some more, plenty more, a lot more, whatever.

“I know you can’t get to two unless you get one. It’s huge for me.”

Thomas went into the final day of the US Open in June just a shot off the lead after setting a tournament record for lowest score in relation to par with a nineunder 63 in the third round.

He could only finish ninth after a closing 75 and although that could hardly be labelled a “choke” as Koepka stormed to a record-equalling victory, the world No 6 revealed he almost did choke in the closing stages at Quail Hollow.

“I tried to eat a lot and drink a lot as it was beyond hot,” Thomas explained. “But walking to 17 green, I had some snacks in my bag and I was eating it and I literally almost choked.

“I started coughing and I was like, am I really going to choke? Is this a sign to come? It’s funny the things that you think about when you get in those situations.”