The International media is currently awash with stories anointing Rory McIlroy as Tiger’s heir apparent. You cannot deny that the nature of his win in the US Open at the Congressional course in Washington this week was Tiger-esque and befitting of the next number one in golf.
However, for Australia, the real story of the week was the second place for the equally youthful and talented Jason Day.
As runner up, Day posted his third consecutive top ten finish in a major, having previously tied 10th at the 2010 US PGA Championship and tied second at the 2011 Masters.
Make no mistake, Day is the brightest prospect we have had since the Great White Shark was at his hungriest and now surpasses Ogilvy, Scott, Allenby and Appleby to lead the Australian charge.
While these other Australians were all potential top tenners – none had the complete package required to become number one.
Golf is a technically and emotionally demanding sport. Technically one must master a range of shots – which in turn requires everything from the power of heavyweight boxer off the tee to the touch of a brain surgeon on the green.
Day is very long off the tee, very clean with his irons and is an instinctive and talented putter.
But as we know golf is played as much between the ears as it is between the tee and the green.
Day’s second placing at The Masters earlier in the year behind the strong finishing South African Schwarzel, marked him as young player with great poise under pressure.
He looked relaxed and like he knew ne belonged in the last few groups on Sunday. He is now making a habit of it.
His second to McIlroy’s imperious 16 under this week at The US Open indicates he possesses another rare commodity in golf – consistency.
On their day, there are many golfers that can go low. The difference between the good golfers and the greats is the ability to do it consistently on the big stage.
One of the outcomes of Tiger’s fall from grace is that it has precipitated a geographic power shift in world Golf. The dominance of the US (primarily through Woods and Mickelson) has been broken by international players.
In the last few years Ireland and South Africa have emerged as the dominant golfing countries each producing three Major champions (Ireland/ Northern Ireland: Harrington, McDowell and McIlroy and South Africa: Ousthuizan, Sabbatini and Schwartzel).
While the great Woods/Mickelson rivalry dominated the last decade of golf, Day himself commented that he and McIlroy are the next generation: ”We’re good mates and it would be friendly, but people love those things. Hopefully Rory and I have many more years taking each other on down the stretch in big tournaments”.
This will good be good for a game in need of renewal but especially good for Australian golf who has not had a superstar since Norman.
At the Masters it was Day who kept his head while the Northern Irishman lost his. After this week however, Day will be in Milroy’s shadow as the best young player in the world until he too breaks through in a major.
As a bonus for Australian golf, Day who has neglected his home tournaments in the past will be back to play the Australian PGA and Masters later in the year.
While this week has been the Irishman’s time to shine, we can now confidently say that a new Day has dawned in Australian golf.
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