Masters fury helps drive Jason Day at PGA

Jason Day says his close call at last month's Masters at Augusta has him itching to get in contention at this week's PGA Championship in New York.

By Evin Priest, Australian Associated Press
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Jason Day admits a one-hole meltdown during last month's Masters still stings but it's added motivation at this week's US PGA Championship in New York.

Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, was well in contention at Augusta National during the third round before carding a sloppy double-bogey at the par-5 15th.

"I've never been angrier on a golf course, or in my life, than I was that day," Day told AAP at PGA host venue Bethpage Black on Tuesday.

Day eventually finished two shots behind winner Tiger Woods at the Masters, in a tie for fifth.

"Coming off Augusta and being in the spotlight with regards to trying to win the Masters for the first time makes you itch to get back out at a major," Day said.

For 31-year-old Day, his emotional state before the Masters and the PGA Championship could not be more contrasting.

The Masters is stressful for any top player trying to win for the first time and Day admits it is the title he wants more than any other.

But the PGA Championship is Day's bread and butter and it's timely for him, with changed dates putting it the month after the Masters.

The Queenslander's record at the PGA Championship is sensational, with a win and a runner-up finish among five top-10 finishes from nine starts.

At the 2015 edition at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, he became the first golfer to win a major championship with a 20-under-par total.

"Having that experience and those good memories is a massive weapon to have on my side; I know I can play well at this event if I stay disciplined," Day said.

"I play pretty decent on this golf course, too," added Day, referring to his fourth placing when the PGA Tour's Barclays event was held at Bethpage Black in 2016.

Day flew to New York to play an 18-hole practice round on the notoriously-difficult, 7400-yard Bethpage Black on Saturday.

He then returned home to Ohio before coming back to New York on Tuesday to begin his PGA Championship campaign.

"The preparation is coming along nicely; I sorted some things in my game out with (coach) Col (Swatton) and I feel ready for a major," Day said.

Day is among eight Australians in the field, including fellow big names Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith.

The quartet are joined by rising European Tour star Lucas Herbert and Japan Tour winner Brendan Jones, as well as PGA Professionals Championship qualifiers Stuart Deane and Craig Hocknull.


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