Aussies on right course
Optimism at British Open
GOLF: A new putter, new attitude and, most importantly, a new caddie have given Jason Day renewed belief that he can become a major player in world golf again.
Australia’s former world No.1 enters this week’s British Open convinced he’s on the path back to the top after falling to 18th in the rankings and going 14 months without a win – the second-longest drought in his illustrious career.
But Day finally has his mojo back and he puts it all down to Steve Williams.
The 31-year-old says he hasn’t looked back since turning to the 14-times major championship-winning caddie before last month’s US Open at Pebble Beach.
“Having Steve on the bag has settled things down, which is nice, and I’m back working on the right things on my game,” Day said ahead of tonight’s start to the Open.
“I’m very positive about where things are going for the first time in a long time.
“It’s really about trying to, not rededicate myself, but get more structure back in my practice, back in the way that I go about preparing for tournaments and really have a lot more motivation to go out there and try to win again.
“I don’t have to say it, I can actually feel it.”
It’s not as though Day’s been completely in the doldrums.
He’s had five top-five finishes this year, including at the Masters and the Players’ Championship, and tied for eighth at the Travelers Championship three weeks ago.
But by his prolific standards of 2015 and 2016, when he won eight times, including the US PGA Championship before finishing second in his title defence, Day feels he has “seriously under-achieved”.
Fellow Aussie Marc Leishman admits he needs to change pace to reach the winning post first at Royal Portrush.
“It’s just my style. I guess if I was a horse, I’d start from behind and sort of come home hard. But when I get off to a good start, that makes things easier,” he said.
“It gives you a different mindset for the rest of the week. You’re not having to go out and attack too much.
“You can play a bit smarter and plot your way around a bit more.”
Queenslander Cameron
Smith has only played Royal Portrush twice, but already loves it.
Smith didn’t exactly arrive for this week’s British Open in sparkling form, having missed four cuts from his past 10 starts on the US PGA Tour.
But the world No.42 feels inspired to raise his game at the famous Irish coastal venue that hasn’t been used on the Open rota for 68 years.
“This is my third one and this is my favourite so far,” Smith said. “It’s probably just the simplicity of it. It’s pretty as well, but also how hard it is.
“The course is set up so that if you don’t hit it well enough, you’re going to get punished and if you hit a good shot, you’re going to get rewarded.”