Brilliant
Jason Day claimed the first major of his career with a stunning victory in the US PGA at Whistling Straits.
It was another incredible day of golf, with low scoring all over the course, but Day never lost the pole position he held overnight and emerged as a deserving winner in Wisconsin.
In the end it turned into a two-way shootout between Day and Jordan Spieth, but despite some heroics from Spieth, chasing a historic third major of the year, Day held his composure and claimed victory.
Jason Day has 6 top-5s in majors. With win today, it will be most top-5s in majors before 1st win since Phil (9) at 2004 Masters. #PGAChamp
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) August 16, 2015
The margin of victory was three shots in the end with Day finishing on an incredible -20 for the tournament, the first player of all-time to finish -20 in a major.
Jason Day just became the second player in major history to reach 20 under (Tiger, 2000 British). No one has ever finished at 20 under.
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) August 16, 2015
Branden Grace finished in third place on -15, a double bogey on the 10th and a bogey on the 15th bringing an end to his chances.
While Day was calmness personified throughout it wasn’t all perfect from the Australian.
A bogey on the 8th was followed up by a 323-yard drive on the 9th before a disaster of a second shot, which would have been a familiar site to Saturday hackers everywhere.
Finally a golf shot we can relate to… pic.twitter.com/dB05EovRRe
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 16, 2015
But it was typical of Day’s resilience that he recovered from this to get up and down for par.
Day dropped a shot on the 15th, which made it a competitive final three holes as the Australian and Spieth went toe-to-toe.
The respect between the two was clearly evident with Spieth showing what a classy operator he is with this thumbs up for Day’s long-range birdie putt on the 17th.
How about Jordan Spieth coming across your TV screen giving the thumbs up to Jason Day for that long birdie attempt there? Classy.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) August 16, 2015
Jordan Spieth is one classy guy. Here he is giving the thumbs up to Jason Day's birdie putt on the 17th pic.twitter.com/qeTftZfHgA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 16, 2015
But Day’s rock steady work on the tee box meant it was always unlikely that Spieth could claw back the three shots.
That was Jason Day's 7th drive of more than 300 yards today that hit a fairway. #PGAChamp
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) August 16, 2015
The emotion was all too much for Day who was in tears on the 18th green before he even sank his final putt.
In the end Spieth can console himself with the knowledge that he is the new world No1 and his record in this year’s majors is: 1st, 1st, T4th, 2nd.
So Spieth is going to come up 1 shot short at the Open and 2nd to a guy who went nuts and got to -20. That's what kept him from the slam.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) August 16, 2015
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