Day breaks the 5-year dry spell with victory in Texas

 

Jason Day, the talented Australian golfer, enjoyed an exceptional lead-up to the upcoming PGA Championship at Oak Hill following his triumphant return to the winner’s circle at the AT&T Byron Nelson tournament.

In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Day put an end to his five-year drought without a PGA Tour victory by delivering a sensational performance at McKinney, Texas. The 33-year-old golfer, who previously clinched the PGA Championship title in 2015, concluded the tournament with an awe-inspiring nine-under 62 to claim his first PGA Tour win in half a decade.

Day finished the event with a remarkable overall score of 23 under par, securing a narrow one-stroke lead over joint runners-up Austin Eckroat and Si Woo Kim. Notably, CT Pan also turned heads with an outstanding final-day performance, carding a 62 and securing a solo fourth-place finish at 21 under par.

Among the top contenders was hometown favorite Scottie Scheffler, ranked second in the world, who showcased his exceptional skills with a flawless bogey-free round of 65. Scheffler shared fifth place with England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who shot an impressive 64, and China’s Zecheng Dou, who carded a solid 67.

Day’s ascent to the top of the leaderboard was punctuated by a brilliant chip-in birdie on the 12th hole of the TPC Craig Ranch course. He sealed his victory in style by notching a ninth birdie on the final hole, completing a bogey-free round that demonstrated his dominance on the course.

This win marks the 13th PGA Tour victory of Day’s illustrious career, a long-awaited triumph since his last victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in 2018. Interestingly, his journey to success began a decade ago with a victory at the very same Byron Nelson tournament in 2010.

Reflecting on his emotional victory, Day opened up about the challenging times he faced, considering quitting the sport due to a series of setbacks. Battling illness, injuries, and the heartbreaking loss of his mother after her five-year battle with cancer, Day admitted that he came close to walking away from the game. He expressed the immense toll these experiences took on him, noting the tremendous stress that permeated his life during those difficult periods.

As Day basks in the glory of his hard-fought triumph, he looks ahead to the upcoming PGA Championship, fueled by newfound determination and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Leon Osamor