Jason Day Takes 4-Way Playoff for Farmers Insurance Open
Jason Day Wins Farmers Insurance Open, image: golfchannel.com
The title of No. 1 ranked golfer in the world may soon move south into Aussie territory. Jason Day, the 27-year-old golf pro from Queensland and TaylorMade club user, took home the win after a nail-biting 4-way playoff in last weekend’s Farmers Insurance Open held in San Diego, California.
The final playoff holes weren’t the only ones keeping gallery members on the edge of their seats, considering the roller coaster ride that Day took fans on near the end of Sunday’s final round. Even though there were a couple of close calls, Day’s performance during the weekend tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course was solid and consistent, taking him to 9-under with three other competitors in sudden death play.
That consistency would ultimately pay off. Day also alluded to his injury prone 2014 golf season coming off his latest win, and his desire to make it to the top by moving Rory McIlroy out of the No. 1 spot that he’s commanded on and off for over 5 years. Let’s dive into last weekend’s tournament event and learn more about this promising young golf star from Down Under.
Final Round Excitement
Jason Day sank some killer shots over the weekend, although his humble demeanor toward the event could cause one to think otherwise. “When you win golf tournaments, you have to have a little bit of luck,” Day stated for the Associated Press.
While luck may pull a golfer through a hole or two, Day’s Sunday performance was primarily the result of skill and resolve. The back nine during the final round of play tested Day’s determination a couple of times. Although Day posted two birdies during the last half of the round – one of which was a phenomenal 48-foot putt for birdie on the 16th hole – it was the 17th and 18th that had fans wondering if he would remain in contention for the win. Day had a tough lie in a greenside bunker on the 17th hole, but managed to handle the situation accordingly, pulling off a par for the hole.
Then followed trouble on the 18th hole, as Day’s chip shot from a rough patch hit the green fast, rolled right past the hole, down the hill and toward the water on the other side before coming to rest right next to the hazard line. Although Day initially thought his golf ball must have made it to the drink, the crowd’s reaction told him otherwise.
That hole landed him another par, putting Jason Day at 9-under for the tournament and alongside three other players making up a 4-way tie moving into sudden death. It was there that Day outshined his worthy competitors, with Harris English and Scott Stallings eliminated in the first playoff round, leaving Jason Day and J.B. Holmes to battle it out in the second. Holmes missed his 20-foot birdie putt for the win, leaving Day a short putt to seal up an exciting final round.
Race to No. 1
The No. 1 ranked golfer on the Australian continent, Jason Day, still has his eyes on the No. 1 world title. A lifelong goal the pro golfer has made clear for several years now, the 2014 golf season – full of unfortunate injuries and missed tournaments for Day – had made the Aussie question whether or not it would even be a possibility.
“I really honestly felt like I was going to get to No. 1 last year,” he said last weekend at Torrey Pines. “And with the way I was playing and then obviously with the thumb injury… it just was bad timing, really bad timing.” Jason Day went on to say now that he’s in better shape, he’s more motivated to play the game than ever, and is very determined to claim the long sought-after world No. 1 title.
Look out, Rory.
