If reaching No 1 in the world represents an impressive enough achievement, the immediate endorsement of that status by way of victory in a high-profile event should afford an extra layer of credit. In Jason Day’s case it most certainly will.
The Australian will arrive at Augusta National for the Masters as the top-ranked player, regardless of what Jordan Spieth does at this week's Shell Houston Open. After claiming the WGC Match Play trophy for a second time in three years, Day also took his winning tally to two in as many weeks. He is in the form of his life.
He did not earn glory at Austin Country Club the easy way. He saw off Rory McIlroy in a wonderfully entertaining semi-final, during which the pair could claim a better ball score of nine under par. Day rolled in a putt from 13 feet on the final green to take the match by a hole.
The danger to the US PGA champion thereafter was obvious. Day, it was feared, might have expended too much energy and focus during battle with the four-time Major winner to be in peak condition to face Louis Oosthuizen. That sense was endorsed on the first hole as Oosthuizen moved one up.
Day’s response was worthy of his status. He was three up by the turn, a position from which Oosthuizen could never recover. The ultimate margin of victory was 5&4, which just about illustrated the imperious nature of Day’s final display.
If Day repeats this in Georgia, hold on to your hats.
“It feels great to do this. I just kept rolling on from last week,” he said, before returning to the back problems which threatened to undermine his tournament.
Get therapy
“It’s really tough. A lot of people don’t realise I get here two or three hours before my tee time, try and get therapy and I’m there like another hour after my rounds trying to get therapy. I’m in between rounds trying to get therapy. It would be great to win Augusta but I’ve got to make sure I get in and do the little things that count towards the big picture.”
McIlroy played out a dead rubber against Rafa Cabrero-Bello. That is, if you ignore the $130,000 (€116,000) difference in prizemoney! The Spaniard duly produced a 3&2 win.
McIlroy will pass up the opportunity to visit Augusta this week, preferring instead to work on his game at home in Florida. For all that the denouement here was bruising, McIlroy’s game is on its steepest upward curve of the year. Day’s has flown off the scale. Guardian Service
