DUBLIN (Ohio) — When Jason Day was three weeks away from his first PGA Tour win in five years, he remained composed.
The final round of the AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament in Texas fell on Mother’s Day. This was a challenge for Day’s mental state, and not just because he had a long streak of victories. Day’s mother, Dening Day, passed away last March, after a five year battle with cancer. In her last two years, she lived with Day and his family in Westerville.
Day, who played in the pro-am of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on Wednesday, said: “It was pretty emotionally charged.” “I didn’t think about it in the slightest.”
This strategy was mostly successful until after he won.
Day laughed and said, “I started losing my temper as soon as people brought up my mother after the tournament.” “I was like, Please don’t mention it because I will start crying’, and I began crying. I lost it when a guy mentioned it in an interview. “As soon as it happens to me, I am done.”
Former world number one golfer, the Australian’s career was ruined by bulging discs.
When will Rory McIlroy, a PGA Tour player, win another major championship on the PGA Tour? When will Rory McIlroy win another major championship?
More: Everything you need to Know about the 2023 Memorial Golf Tournament
Jason Day poses in front of the trophy he won during the final round at the AT&T Byron Nelson Golf Tournament. Raymond Carlin III – USA TODAY Sports
He said, “It was just like solving a complicated math problem.” “You just try to solve one problem, then move on to the next and solve it.” You begin unraveling all the pieces. You can’t believe how one thing unravels and causes other things to change. “There’s a huge chain reaction.”
Day was able avoid major surgery by undergoing minor back procedures. His recovery was long, but he did eventually recover. His back is still not 100 percent, but he says he can play at high levels despite this.
He believed that he was on the verge of regaining his old form. He did at the Byron Nelson.
The relief that he had expected didn’t come. Day realized that his small victories on the road to regaining the game were really the big ones. The trophy that Day held three weeks ago was just the icing on the cake.
Jason Day in pictures
He said, “I’m more excited by the journey than I am about the wins.” “I am excited by the wins but I love the journey much more.”
Day, 35, is currently in his 16th year on the PGA Tour. He has more than $55 millions in earnings.
Day stated that he played more money-driven golf at the beginning of his career. “These days, it feels like I have enough money to my side to not worry as much about that and to just concentrate on golf and to play as well I can.”
Muirfield Village is one place where he’s not played well. In 13 appearances, his tie for fourth place in 2020 was his only top-10 finish.
Day stated that “the golf course hasn’t really suit my eye even though I’ve played it many times.”
The Memorial is special to him because of the proximity to his home, where his wife Ellie is pregnant with their fifth child, and also because it is Jack Nicklaus’ tournament.
He is now dealing with what he believes to be a bone bruise on his wrist. This wouldn’t prevent him from playing at the weekend.
When asked what would keep him out of Muirfield Village if he couldn’t hit the ball, Day responded, “Not being able to do it.” I will do all I can to be able to play.”
