Don’t be surprised if glory’s last shot ends with the breakthrough of a major young talent.
All year, Jason Day has knocked and knocked and knocked some more on the door of greatness. Look at his finishes in 2011: T9 at the World Golf Championship Accenture Match Play event, T2 at The Masters, T6 at The Players Championship, 5th Place at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, 2nd at the U.S. Open, T4 at the World Golf Championship Bridgestone. In a year when anyone can win just about any week, Day has been a consistent threat atop leader boards. He’s made it clear that when the best players congregate, he’ll be there with his A game.
Day carries major game and the swagger of a guy who’s ready to win majors. It’s not a mistake he’s always in the mix at the big ones – it’s the sign of a winner in the making. For my money, this is the week he proves he’s ready to take the next step.
Even with his strong play this season, Day enters this week’s championship outside the spotlight. The return of Tiger Woods, Adam Scott’s big win last week and a chatty caddie dominate pre-tournament headlines. Others can’t get over the sheer length and grit of the 7,647, Par 70 Highlands Course at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Even others think this is the week Steve Stricker or Luke Donald is set to bust through.
Who knows how any of those storylines will play out, but I’ll be shocked if Day isn’t part of the picture come Sunday afternoon. For him, it will come down if he can make one or two more birdies than he has in the past; If he can keep his powerful, graceful swing near perfection on the closing holes.
There are tons of players who have come close to winning majors but never cashed in. Day isn’t destined to be one of them. At age 25, Day is a star in the making; A multiple-major winner in the shadows. There’s no reason this can’t be the week.
Come nightfall Sunday, someone will have wrapped up the Wanamaker Trophy and ceased glory’s last shot. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if this year’s 2011 major season is put to bed by a bright, shining Day.
