Former No. 1 Day grateful to be in position to win

PEBBLE BEACH — Jason Day is a 12time PGA Tour winner, including the 2015 PGA Championship. He once sat atop the world ranking, jostling with Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and all the game’s big names and rising stars.

Now, at age 32, Day is simply thrilled to wake up Sunday morning with a chance to win again.

“I’m definitely looking forward to being back in the hunt,” he said.

Day planted himself there by shooting 67 at Monterey Peninsula on Thursday and 64 at Pebble Beach on Friday. Then he posted 70 on Saturday at Spyglass Hill, traditionally the toughest course in the AT&T ProAm rotation.

So Day stands at 14under par entering the final round, three shots behind leader Nick Taylor and two strokes behind Phil Mickelson.

Day won eight events in a span of 15plus months (February 2015 through May 2016), establishing himself as an elite player. Then, in part because of lingering back problems, he tumbled back into the pack. Day is No. 46 in this week’s ranking.

“I’ve got a lot more gratitude being here, especially with the injuries and all that stuff, being able to kind of perform the way I’ve wanted,” he said Saturday. “I think I’m a lot happier, and that hopefully yields better play tomorrow.”

Taylor stays ahead: Taylor, a 31yearold Canadian and University of Washington alum, has held the lead after each of the first three rounds. He shot 63 at Monterey Peninsula, then 66 at Pebble Beach, then 69 at Spyglass Hill.

Now Taylor returns to Pebble on Sunday, with a daunting challenge: try to pick up his second PGA Tour win while playing alongside Mickelson for the first time. Not easy.

“I’m sure I won’t be the crowd favorite, so I’ve just got to keep my head down, do my thing and keep playing, because I’ve been playing well,” Taylor said.

“Obviously, if he makes a putt or great shot, the crowd’s going to go wild. Again, I have to try to block all that out.

Easier said than done, without having to do it before, but I’ll do the best I can.”

Slater stays calm: Surfer Kelly Slater and his pro partner, Patrick Cantlay, will begin Sunday’s final round tied for third in the proam competition, two strokes behind Kevin Streelman/Larry Fitzgerald and one back of Mickelson/Steve Young.

Slater, a 2handicap and a regular ProAm participant over the past 15 years, has learned how to control his nerves amid finalround pressure.

“If I can bring something to the table, maybe it’s to relax,” he said Saturday. “I understand that high level of competition, and you never do things as well when you’re stressed as when you’re relaxed. So maybe a little conversation here and there.”

Briefly: Johnson, a twotime AT&T champ, faded into a tie for seventh after his evenpar 72 at Pebble Beach. … Spieth, the 2017 winner, made the cut on the number at 3under, tied for 55th. … Max Homa and Kurt Kitayama (both tied for 12th) lead the way among players with Northern California ties. Also worth noting: Cameron Champ (tied for 15th), Joseph Bramlett (tied for 32nd) and Maverick McNealy (also tied for 32nd).

Harry How / Getty Images Former world No. 1 Jason Day of Australia plays his shot from the second tee during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. He shot 70 on Saturday.