Film and ice cream help Day to find his best form
▶ Fires a 65 to move up leaderboard; top amateur Plant thrilled with his week
Australian Jason Day made the most of a late reprieve in making the cut to shoot his best score at the British Open yesterday,
Day, 29, had stomped out of Royal Birkdale on Friday evening thinking he was heading home after a 6-66 finish on the final three holes of his second round, but eventually made the weekend right on the fiveover mark.
Having calmed down with a film and ice cream, the world No 4 returned the following day to shoot a bogey-free 65 – his best in 27 rounds at the tournament – to get himself back to level par.
It will most likely be too far back for him to win the title, although Day said he is thinking about shooting an historic 61 if the weather remains benign today after South Africa’s Branden Grace carded the first 62 in a men’s major yesterday.
“I honestly thought I missed the cut. That’s why I stormed off, and I was like ‘This is going to be my third one in a row, and not the direction that I want to go in, especially the WGC and the PGA [coming up]’,” said Day, who was three under for the front nine but could easily have been at least two shots better off.
“I was even par with three holes to go and I came home in a coffin.
“I was quiet in the car, then I watched a movie [The Expendables 2] and after I ate some ice cream I became a lot happier. [There were] a lot of people with a lot of smiles walking off today and right now I’m very happy with how I played.
“I think if I can do that and play the way I did today going into tomorrow there’s definitely a chance of shooting 61.”
One title that has already been won is best amateur by Englishman Alfie Plant.
The only non-professional player to survive to the weekend, he continued his good form yesterday with a round of 69, his best yet at Royal Birkdale, to be three over going into the final round.
Plant, who will follow in the footsteps of players such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy by winning the silver medal, said: “I’m playing nicely.
“I had a target of 68 but to be under par in my first Open is nice. I’ve had a week of enjoyable days so far so one more tomorrow would be great.”
Plant, who has had strong support from family and friends, said he was still trying to get his around his accomplishment.
“This is great for family and friends to come and watch,” he said. “You have got to take it all in. There have been a couple of times when I’ve just sat down on the bank and made sure I’ve taken it all in.”