Young brigade arrives
Day excited about new wave that’s hit the sport
FORGET forecasts of golf’s changing of the guard. It’s already here and Tiger Woods will be jostling with younger, bigger and more explosive rivals at next week’s US Masters.
Queenslander Jason Day’s enthusiasm about being part of the new wave with world No.1 Rory McIlroy, clean-cut Texan Jordan Spieth, power striker Dustin Johnson and Co. is obvious.
“I’ve heard Rory talk about the changing of the guard,” said Day, the world No.5. “It’s already here. I think we all know the young guys are here to stay and play.
“You look at the fields now. It seems like it’s younger and there are a lot more explosive, stronger, bigger guys out here. It’s exciting times for golf and I’m really pumped for it.’’
Equally, Day is yearning for this Augusta showpiece to have a Tiger tale woven into it after his recent trials.
Woods remains the greatest mystery of a tournament he last won in 2005 when Day was a 17-year-old amateur, McIlroy was 15 and Spieth was just 11.
Just five days out from the Masters, four-time champion Woods, 39, is still theatrically grabbing the spotlight with his delay on confirming he will play with his suspect back and chipping.
“(Woods) falling out of the world’s top 100 is hard to believe because it’s just amazing someone could be so dominant for so many weeks (683) at No.1. Rory is like 70-odd,” Day said.
Day can plan for his Masters quest quietly. He gave an insight into how much more difficult it would be for Woods, now No.104 in the world and with very public chipping problems.
“It’s just tough,” Day said. “He’s watched under a microscope with everything he does. If he’s having his socalled yips with the chips that’s magnified by 100 times because it’s on every sports channel. It’s hard for him to get away from that stuff. It’s unfortunate because he’s my idol. He was my hero growing up. It’s tough to see.”
Day did see a spin-off that could aid McIlroy’s quest to join Jack Nicklaus and Woods as the only men to have won all four majors by the age of 25.
“I’m actually excited for him (McIlroy) that he has the opportunity to join the group to win all four, the Rory Slam as you would put it,” Day said.
“The perfect scenario would be if Tiger came back because he’d take a lot of the attention off Rory.’’