One of the most compelling aspects of covering sports, or in fact life in general, is that there is always a story behind the story you are covering, and Jason Day is no different.
Losing your father is tough for everyone, especially when you are 12, and when Jason did, he went off the rails, drinking with other troubled kids with all the problems that ensue. Then his mother borrowed some money from his uncle, and got him out of his circle of peers, out of is neighbourhood and sent him to a private school.
That as it turns out was the turning point, from spiralling into an abyss of booze, drugs, and crime that so many do, to getting back on track, with a chance to be productive, to succeed with a sense of worth.
Jason broke down and cried on the final green after he tapped in for par and a 5-under 67 for a three-shot win at -20, 268, and the man whose shoulder he cried on was not only his caddie and coach, Colin Swatton, but the man who became his father at that private school, who rescued Day all those years ago, that was another turning point.
He drove the ball magnificently when it mattered most, none more so than the long par 5 16th, a 360 yard blast, followed by a massive 4 iron to 20 feet and a 2 putt birdie. Afterwards in the press center Jordan Spieth who closed with a 68 to finish second said "There’s nothing I could do. He played like he’d won seven or eight majors, he took it back. He wailed it. It was a stripe show.”
Confidence means so much in life and golf is no different and you can be assured Day's win at Glen Abbey after so narrowly missing out at the US Open and the Open championship is another part of the story behind his win at Whistling Straits. It filled him with confidence.
By finishing second Spieth who is just 22 has moved into the world's #1 spot pushing Rory to #2 with Jason now #3 so with Bubba at #4 they have combined to win five of the last six majors and with Bubba at 36 that brings their average age to 27 and on another front what a boost this gives the International Team for the Presidents Cup.
Branden Grace of South Africa who will be in that team, was just two shots behind at one point in the round, and he closed with a 69 and finished third, five shots behind while Justin Rose also got within two shots finished with a 70 and finished fourth.
Canadian Nick Taylor finished T68 after a round of 71.
Bryan
Bryan
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