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Jason Day has urged himself to balance an insatiable work ethic next season after admitting burnout engulfed what was promising to be a stellar year.
The former world No.1 looked to be marching back towards golf's top ranks when he kicked off 2018 with victories at the Farmers Insurance Open and Wells Fargo Championship.
But having registered just one top-10 since May, Day admitted the second half of the year left him disappointed as he finished the season-ending Tour Championship in 18th place at two under, nine shots back of winner Tiger Woods.
The 30-year-old Day was critical of his season despite also securing a runner-up at Pebble Beach among five top-10 results and 15 top-25s.
"I'm not walking away satisfied," he told AAP.
"Yeah, I won twice but it was disappointing in the second half.
"It's a good thing I have high expectations but now I can have some time off because it's been a long season."
Day will start his 2018/19 season with several events on the PGA Tour's Asia swing in October.
"I need to take some time off and try get away from (golf) and get some hunger (to win) back," Day said.
"I have to try not to push myself so hard next year; this season I kept telling myself I needed to work harder and that was a good formula for burning myself out.
"I'm not going to give myself big breaks because that's not what winners do, but I need more balance."
Day's fellow Queenslander Cameron Smith finished the Tour Championship in 20th place with an even-par total.
Smith was also introspective, admitting he took his foot off the pedal during the middle of the year when he missed five consecutive cuts.
But overall the 25-year-old was pleased with his season, having earned three third-place results, seven top-10s and 12 top-25s.
"I'd describe my season as a little inconsistent but not too bad," Smith, who tied fifth at the Masters in April, said.
"I slacked off through the middle of the season and that's on me; thinking the game of golf is easy when it's not.
"I'll learn from that ... next year will be exciting because I'm in (all four majors) and now I can pick and choose the events and courses I like."
Marc Leishman (71) rounded out the Australian tilt at East Lake and he finished at one over in a share of 21st.
The 34-year-old Victorian's solid 2018 campaign included two runner-ups, six top-10s and 10 top-25s.
FINAL FEDEX CUP TOP 30 STANDINGS AND PAYOUTS
Winner: Justin Rose; $US 10 million bonus; runner-up: Tiger Woods ($3 million)
Australians: Cameron Smith (12th; $290,000 bonus); Jason Day (16th; $245,000); Marc Leishman (29th; $180,000)
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