Might as well tip his cap.
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His closest pursuer, American super star Jordan Spieth, failed to mount a charge on the final nine, and Day’s lead was never truly threatened.
“Best I’ve ever seen him play”, Spieth said. The 27-year-old Day has been incredibly consistent in 22 career starts at the major, with seven top-5 finishes and 10 appearances in the top 10.
Only three players other than Day have ever shot lower than 17 under in a major: Tiger Woods, Bob May and Nick Faldo.
Spieth has the greatest consolation possible. His combined score of 54-under beat Tiger Woods’ previous record of 53-under set in 2000, perhaps his most dominant year.
“To be sitting here with two wins so far this year, [it’s] definitely been a successful year, but ultimately it would be nice to have a major championship on the résumé”, said Fowler, who won the Players Championship in May and the Scottish Open in July.
However, his second-place showing allowed him to pass Rory McIlroy as the world’s top-ranked golfer.
Jason Day was anxious that he might never play golf again due to vertigo and a degenerative back condition that had forced him to withdraw from several tournaments.
Every one of those was magical, but let me tell you mine: On the 14th hole Sunday at Whistling Straits, in the final round of the PGA Championship, Spieth made a ridiculous up-and-down from behind the green – a par save that required making a 24-foot putt. Day admits to having begun texting Ellie after stealing her number of his coach’s phone.
What really mattered was that shiny Wanamaker Trophy at his side.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Sam Mikulak had little trouble picking up his third straight U.S. gymnastics title Sunday, overcoming an early misstep on high bar to dominate a crowded field that will give the Americans a deep roster heading into the world championships in October. He would’ve been the first to sweep all three majors on U.S. soil. A birdie on nine was repeated with another on 10.
Could he have driven the more accurately? Here are ten things you probably didn’t know about the new PGA Championship victor…
“It’s a good feeling when someone like Jordan, who is playing phenomenal golf right now, says that”, Day said.
She recalled the long road her husband took from a club-throwing, foul-mouthed 20-year-old to a major champion at the age of 27. “That was where I was looking to capitalize”, Spieth said.
He kept holding onto hope when he saw Day pulling drivers on the tee box. But upon leaving Saturday, he said he had to think about it and decide whether he wants to play in the next few days.
“He was resilient, he showed tenacity and just the willingness to fight, dig deeper than anybody”.
When Day rapped a 60-foot birdie putt on No. 17 and it almost went in, Spieth was flashing the thumbs-up sign before the ball stopped.
Day closed with a par – rolling a 45-foot birdie putt to within a foot and tapping in as the tears flowed. “It means a lot to both of us”, Swatton said on the 18th green after the triumph. “He proved me wrong”.
Spieth called Day’s winning performance “a clinic to watch”. The PGA runner-up wouldn’t be surprised.
He is the 11th Australian to win a major, joining Peter Thomson (five), Norman (two), David Graham (two), Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Steve Elkington, Ian Baker-Finch, Wayne Grady, Kel Nagle and Jim Ferrier.
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The pair gelled so well Day’s mother Dening insisted if Day was going to be a tour pro, Swatton go with him.
