He slipped six places on the final day where an indifferent round saw him mix three birdies with three bogeys.
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“I knew coming into today I needed to have a solid round to stay in the top 30″, English said on NBC.
Day said the last two rounds, knowing what he could accomplish with a win, were the hardest he’s ever played.
If Day manages a win in Atlanta, it could make the race for Player of the Year considerably closer than anyone expected after Spieth won the Masters and U.S. Open and appeared to lock up the award.
Jason Day admits he can now sleep easy after reaching the world number one position for the first time in his career following victory at the BMW Championship. Jordan Spieth also remained six back after a front-nine 31. “I was just trying to have some fun”. “To win as many tournaments as I can”.
Ever since the FedEx Cup playoffs became a reality eight years ago, the golf world has been treated to some spectacular moments.
Day joined Tiger Woods as the only players to win five PGA Tour events in a season in the past 11 years.
Day’s six shot overnight lead was down to five as he teed off but despite the fact he missed makeable birdie chances on four of his opening seven holes no serious challenger has emerged.
“My main goal was to get to Number 1 and we understood you have to win consistently to get to that Number 1 spot, to be able to have the opportunity to get to Number 1 and win is fantastic”, said Day.
Fowler had six birdies in a 66 and was in a tie for fifth with Dustin Johnson, who had a 68, and Kevin Na, who birdied the last two holes for a 70.
“I’ve fought with that hole in the past”, said Day, who quickly gathered himself and crushed his second drive there, then stuck a short iron from 147 yards out to within 5 feet of the pin and made that for a hard-earned bogey.
And there could be a new No. 1 after the Tour Championship. When Rickie Fowler was asked to pick between the two, he replied, “I’m glad it’s not my decision” – forgetting that he’ll have to cast a ballot at season’s end.
Day then turned around and backed it up with a sizzling second-round 63, finishing with a 43-foot eagle putt on the last.
It was a similarly mixed back nine for Day with shots gained at 12 and 14 and dropped on 13 and 15, although he finished with a flourish by birdieing the last.
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The former BYU golfer and current Fruit Heights resident ended up as the first player on the cut line for next week’s Tour Championships as he finished in 31st place in the FedEx standings after the BMW Championship near Chicago over the weekend.
