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Young star Jason taking it one Day at a time

Roar Guru
8th September, 2010
2

Jason Day is the future of Australian golf and the future looks extremely bright. Before anyone had ever heard of the 22-year-old Queenslander, he was planning on knocking Tiger Woods off his perch. Just after turning pro, Day made the claim that becoming the world number one was his goal. So what, you may say.

You have to remember this was before the fall of the ‘greatest golfer the world had ever seen’. This was invincible Tiger, the Tiger no-one beat, the Tiger no-one said a bad word about, and the Tiger who could make playing partners forget how to swing a club just by looking at them.

Now Day is closer to that goal than ever before.

It’s no-longer a statement next to a bullet point on a fantasy wish list, but a real possibility.

Believing in the world beating ability of an Australian golfer is a hazardous past-time. They’re full of promise for three rounds, but come Sunday, something happens. They crumble quicker than mum’s apple pie and spend more time in the bush than Bear Grylls (he is that British chap who runs around eating insects and having tea and scones with Cobras).

Yesterday, Day went into the final round at the Deutsche-Bank Championship in Boston, with the lead, but finished second. More of the same? Not by a long shot.

He carded an even-par 71 to end up in a tie for second with compatriot Geoff Ogilvy and Briton Luke Donald. Charley Hoffman took the winners cheque thanks to a 62.

It’s hard to be critical of Day when he’s beaten by a man who shoots the lights out.

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More importantly, Day hasn’t missed a cut since winning the Byron Nelson Championship in May. Last month he was in contention during the final round of the PGA Championship, where he finished equal 10th in just his second major.

Are you starting to get exciting about this kid yet? I know I am.

When Day was just 14, experts rated him at a shot better a round than Greg Norman and Adam Scott, at the same age. Eight-years later that immense promise is starting to be fulfilled.

His statistics, by his own admission, need some work.

Of the 16 key indicators that measure golfers on the USPGA Tour, Day is in the top 20 or better in just six of them.

He’s ranked 58th in driving accuracy and 69th in putting average. Those two will need a significant boost, but he’s not in denial about where he’s at. It’s that awareness that will give him the opportunity to be great.

Keep an eye on young Jason because his day of ultimate triumph is fast approaching.

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You can follow Luke on twitter @luke_doherty and on Sky News Australia.

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