Jason Day will be number two in the world tomorrow after taking out the coveted Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill this morning.
‘The King’ was on hand to congratulate the gritty Australian after he fended off Kevin Chappell, Henrik Stenson, and Troy Merritt in a tense final day.
It started with Day on 15-under, with playing partner Merritt on 13-under, and the penultimate pairing of Stenson and Chappell also at 13-under.
Chappell, who hasn’t won on the USPGA tour, caught and passed Day with three birdies in his first six holes compared to Day’s three bogeys and two birdies.
Stenson, who has run second seven times in the last 18 months, was his usual steady self, as was Merritt – it was effectively a race in four.
There were many holes left when Chappell, Day, and Stenson shared the lead.
Day turned in even par with three bogeys and three birdies, having major problems spraying his irons.
Chappell turned in two-under with those three birdies and a bogey at the ninth.
Stenson turned in one-under with two birdies and a bogey, while Merritt seemed out of it after two doubles and two birdies to be two over.
But it was Merritt who first set the homeward nine alight with five successive birdies from the 10th, and that seemed to lift the other three.
It became a ding-dong battle between the quartet, watched by huge crowds that stretched from tee to green, even on the par fives.
By the 11th for Day, and 12th for Chappell, and Stenson, the trio were sharing 15-under, with Merritt closing.
The three leaders birdied their next holes to share 16-under, before Chappell birdied 16 for 17-under, and Day and Merritt remained 16-under through 15, while Stenson found water at 16 to drop out of contention at 14-under.
Then the pressure really surfaced – Day birdied 17, while Chappell bogeyed 18, and the Australian had sole possession of the lead.
Day parred the tough par four last from a back bunker 50 feet away, leaving himself a five-footer to become the first wire to wire winner of Arnold Palmer’s Invitational since Freddie Couples in 1992.
It has to be said that watching Jason Day under intense pressure is an uplifting experience, he seems to grow an extra leg as pressure mounts.
Think back to Greg Norman’s heyday, and watching the Shark bow under pressure destroyed the rest of your day, feeling for a good bloke.
But Jason Day is made of sterner stuff, and with the WGC Dell Match Play on this week with Day on duty,and the Houston Open next week, then it’s the US Masters, the first major of the year.
With Jason Day winning today, and Adam Scott winning two of his last three starts, the Aussies will be well represented with better than even chances at Augusta.
Scott would have been closer this week had it not been for a quadruple and a double bogey at the last over the weekend, ending up with 12-under, just five shots shy. He played excellent golf again today, barring at the last, but his game is still in great shape for Augusta in two weeks time.
Maroon Blood
Guest
With Day and Scott, you would struggle not to like and admire the guys, the way they play and how they carry themselves on and off the course. They are great examples that highly paid sportsmen don't always behave like complete tools and are fine ambassadors for their country. The other bloke though, complete opposite and could certainly take a leaf out of Jason and Adam's book.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Tim I think you are being a bit harsh on Kyrgios. I think he if cuts out the swearing, he will be fine. Watched a Doco on ESPN 30/30 on Jimmy Connors who played a bit before my time and Jimmy actions on court reminded me of Nick. I really don't mind anything he does besides the swearing. P.S Can't see Speith winning, looks like he is out of form.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Nup, this twerp is probably too busy preening himself in the mirror or insulting someone on court, or in social media. A very slow learner. Can play tennis, but very hard to like - I struggle to send a good word in his direction and wish he represented another country. I fancy Day to win The Masters with Spieth, Scott, Danny Willett and Hideki Matsuyama also strong contenders at big odds.
Lancey5times
Guest
There are three South Africans named Charl, Louis and Brandon who will have a very big say in who wins at Augusta. May well be a very Southern Hemisphere event
Maroon Blood
Guest
I wonder if Nick Kyrgios watches golf...........
GK
Guest
David maybe get your scoring facts straight with Adam Scott - he made triple and a double on 18 over the weekend and finished 9 under, 8 shots behind not 5!! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
How good has the golf been the last few weeks? Phoenix was a great finish, Scott at Doral and now this one as well. The Masters is always great viewing but this year is shaping up as one of the best.
Pepper Jack
Guest
All players do it Bay Hill
Punter
Guest
Yes, did you see the respect Adam Scott showed Arnold Palmer, by going over to say hello. They are2 golfers are great golfers & yes true gentlemen & just loving the way they play.
Punter
Guest
Plus the bunker shot on the 18th!!!!!! Pressure, what pressure!!!!
Patrick Effeney
Editor
That putt on the 17th...
Kingcowboy
Guest
Listen here Special agent Mulder, never put a a mighty Qlder and a dirty Mexican in the same boat, next you will be saying Aussies and Kiwis are similar. In all seriousness, I be as happy if any Aussie gets up. These two just seem to be great gentleman and to me they do all Australia proud with not only the way they play but with the humility they show in their success. Makes them very easy to cheer for.
Fox Molder
Guest
What is it with QLDers and Vics...Yep that is what everyone is thinking, another victory for your state...QLDAAAAH!
Kaks
Roar Guru
Loving the feel of knowing that there are two talented Aussies who are able to win the Masters on their day. I still cant get over Jason Day's life story and where he is now (and I dont think I ever will)
Punter
Guest
He didn't play his best today, but just grinded it out, a sign of a true champion. The last holes showed the difference between players ranked 100+ compared to Day (who has been no 1). Just love Jason Day!!!!
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Brave man! Predicting a win in golf is bloody hard. I'd throw Stenson and Watson in there as glaring omissions, but otherwise you may well be right.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Things are looking really good for an QLd win at the Masters. Speith just doesn't seem to be in form at the moment. Thinking the winner will either be Scott, Day, McIlroy or Dustin Johnson.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Love. Me. Some. Aussies. Just cannot stop winning on the Tour...