Jason Day: The Aussie Ace
Jason Day is one of the best golfers in the world today. The Australian golfer has been playing professional golf since 2006 and has won numerous accolades and championships throughout his career. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the life of Jason Day and how he became one of the most successful golfers in the world.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jason Day was born on November 12, 1987, in Beaudesert, Queensland, Australia. He grew up in a family of avid golfers, with his father, Alvin, serving as his coach from a young age. Jason began playing golf at the age of six and by the time he was a teenager, he was already playing at elite levels.
He began his professional career in 2006 when he played on the Nationwide Tour, the developmental tour for the PGA Tour. In his rookie year, he won the Legend Financial Group Classic and finished the season in 5th place on the money list. This earned him his PGA Tour card for the following season.
The Rise to the Top
Jason Day's breakthrough year came in 2011 when he won his first PGA Tour event, the HP Byron Nelson Championship. He followed this up with a second victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship. These wins helped him to reach a career-high ranking of No. 7 in the world.
The following year, Day would achieve his first major championship victory at the 2015 PGA Championship. He had come close to winning major tournaments before, with several top-five finishes, but this was his first win on the grandest stage. He finished the tournament with a score of 20-under par, breaking the previous record for the lowest score in a major championship.
The Major Championships
Jason Day has always been known as a strong contender on the major championship stage. He has finished in the top ten in every major championship at least once, except for the U.S. Open.
In addition to his 2015 PGA Championship win, Day was also crowned the winner of the 2016 Players Championship, which is often referred to as the "fifth major". He has also finished as the runner-up in three other major championships.
The 2015 Open Championship
In 2015, Day played in The Open Championship at the Old Course at St. Andrews. He finished tied for fourth place, just one stroke behind the playoff that was won by Zach Johnson. Day fought valiantly throughout the tournament, playing through a bout of vertigo on the second day. Despite this setback, he recorded a score of seven-under par for the first round and ended up finishing with a total score of 14-under par.
The 2011 U.S. Open
In his second-ever appearance at the U.S. Open, Day surged up the leaderboard on the final day to finish second to eventual winner Rory McIlroy. Day finished with a score of eight-under par, only eight strokes behind McIlroy. The tournament was marked by Day's Saturday round, where he shot a 65, which was the low round of the day.
Off the Course
Jason Day is known for his charitable work off the course. He and his wife, Ellie, established the Brighter Days Foundation in 2015, which is dedicated to helping families and children who are in need, with a focus on anti-bullying initiatives. In addition, Day has been known to donate significant portions of his tournament winnings to various charities.
Day has also been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression. He has been an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken about the importance of seeking help for those who are struggling with their mental health.
The Future
Jason Day has established himself as one of the best golfers in the world today. He has won numerous titles and accolades, and he shows no signs of slowing down. At the age of 33, he still has several years of prime golfer ahead of him and will undoubtedly continue to delight golf fans around the world with his amazing skills and performances.
As he continues to compete at the highest level, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for this Aussie ace on the links.