Jason Day’s Title Defense and Redemption Journey on the PGA Tour
Defending champion Jason Day reflects on his victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and shares insights into his mindset, journey back to form after a five-year wait, and the improvements he’s made with coach Chris Como. Discover more about Day’s determination and resurgence in the golfing world.
Defending champion Jason Day did not celebrate his victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson last year, even though it ended a five-year drought. Day carded a brilliant closing 62 at TPC Craig Ranch 12 months ago to finish 23 under par, a shot ahead of Austin Eckroat and Si Woo Kim. It was the former world number one’s 13th career PGA Tour title, but his first since winning the Wells Fargo Championship in 2018.
“I didn’t celebrate,” Day said in a pre-tournament press conference ahead of his title defense. “I typically don’t celebrate after a win, which is kind of weird. Kind of get home and I’m already exhausted. Yeah, typically go home and just rest up and just kind of reflect on everything.”
Despite the long wait between wins, Day felt that something good was around the corner. “Five years is a long time between wins. Little too long if you ask me. But I don’t know, it was kind of strange. I had a lot of good finishes leading up to this event last year to win. I just knew something good was going to happen around the corner and obviously it did.”
Following the victory, Day missed the cut at the US PGA Championship, which he won in 2015, and the Memorial Tournament and US Open before finishing tied for second at the Open at Royal Liverpool. This season, Day has recorded three top 10s in 10 events on the PGA Tour and feels the work he has put in with coach Chris Como is starting to pay dividends.
“In regards to my play, I hadn’t been that happy with it or that pleased with it,” Day added. “My short game has been great. Putting has been great. Off the tee has been great. The iron play has been kind of letting me down. So just working on a few things with Chris to try and like alleviate some of the stress and pressure that the iron play is putting on the rest of my game. I feel like I’ve kind of turned a corner now, which has been great.”
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