Jason ticks off No.1 goal
Martial in the goals for United
JASON Day has plenty of rivals at the moment, but very few peers.
Day’s runaway victory yesterday in the BMW Championship vaulted him to No.1 in the world rankings, backing up a claim the then little-known Australian made during a conference call with reporters in 2007 – and for which he was roasted on more than one occasion since.
“I remember sitting on my mum’s bed and thinking that (predicting he would be No.1 some day) might not go over too well,” Day, 27, said with a laugh. It didn’t. “I expected to get a little bit (of criticism), but not the response that I got from practically everyone,” Day said, another championship trophy poised within arm’s reach.
“But it’s good to sit in this chair right now.”
His two-under, final-round 69 and 22under total at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest was good for a six-shot victory over rookie Daniel Berger. Scott Piercy finished third, seven strokes back.
The win in the US state of Illinois was Day’s fifth on tour this season and his second in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
On top of the No.1 ranking, it made him the frontrunner in the 30-man field heading to East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, next weekend for the series finale.
“Whatever Jason Day is doing, or which course he’s playing, it’s ridiculous,” No.19 Danny Lee said.
Day zoomed out to a big lead by shooting 61 and 63 in the first two rounds and was never seriously challenged.
If he manages a win in Atlanta, it could make the race for Player of the Year – an award Jordan Spieth appeared to lock up by winning the US Masters and US Open earlier this year – closer than anyone would have anticipated six weeks ago.
Day has been on an impressive run since narrowly missing out at the British Open.
In his six starts since, he has won four times – the Canadian Open, the PGA Championship for his first major and the two FedEx Cup events – and played at a sizzling 101-under par clip.
“I think it might change some people’s minds about (player of the year) if I go ahead and win next week,” he said.
“But we can’t deny what Jordan has done in the in the major championship this year.
‘‘For a 22-year-old kid to accomplish what he’s done ... that has been an amazing ride.
“I still think,” Day added a moment later, “it’s him.”
When hen Rickie Fowler was askedsked to pick between the two, he replied, “I’m glad it’s not my decision” – forgetting that he will have to cast a ballot at season’s son’s end.
The e quest to make the 30-man field heading to East Lake produced its own n share of winners and losers. Berger rger will be the only rookie. Harrisrris English, who missed earnspot earning a spot by a single shot each of the past twowo seasons, shoehorned himnto himself into the 30th spot with a birdie at the 18th.
Daniel niel Summerhays finished 31st after fter dunking a tee shot at the par-3 11th, and Justin Thomas lost his chancehance to join Berger as the only other rookie in Atlanta when Dustin Johnson birdied the final nal two holes.
Day y will head to the finale more in control of his fate than he has been in a while.
He and Colin Swatton, who has been his mentor and coach oach since age 12 and doubleses as his caddie now, set out a plan years ago to o have Day reach No.1 inn the world by age 22. 2. “Six years late,” Day said, stifling g a grin.
“But,ut, I mean, better late than never, right?” TEENAGETE striker Anthony MartialM further endeared himselfhi to Manchester United’sU supporters with a nervelessne brace as his side cameca from behind to win 3-2 at SouthamptonSo on Sunday.
Scorer of a memorable solo go goal in last weekend’s 3-1 win ov over Liverpool, 19-year-old M Martial struck either side of ha half-time at St Mary’s af after Graziano Pelle had giv given Southampton a 13thminute m lead.
Juan Mata added a third in th the 68th minute and, despite Pe Pelle scoring again, United he held on for a victory that pr propelled Louis van Gaal’s side up to second on the Premier Le League table, two points below le leaders Manchester City, who lo lost 2-1 at home to West Ham U United on Saturday.
“Whatever Jason Day is doing, it’s
ridiculous WORLD NO 19 DANNY LEE