Jason Day dazzles to lead Australia’s Masters challenge
Priest of the House
Augusta, Georgia: Former world No. 1 Jason Day negotiated the spicy and tough Augusta National to enter Masters contention amidst a sunny opening round, thanks to a sensational 11-hole field.
Day, who finished second at April’s major in 2011, took a step closer to his green jacket dream with a first-round 69 at Augusta National that left the Queenslander three under par and just two shots off the clubhouse.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy moved into a draw for the lead midway through the back nine as American Sam Burns set up the early mark of a five-under 67, while Georgia sunshine set Augusta National’s fairways and greens in firm and fast condition.
Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, salvaged a tense start that saw him bogey the short par-4 third hole, which is usually a solid birdie opportunity.
The 38-year-old treaded water until the par-5 eighth when he set up the fairway with a perfect drive and headed toward the green for his second shot. On the second day, a birdie putt was made from 22.8 meters.
Day then played Amen Corner to perfection, making a spectacular putt on the iconic par-3 12th that allowed him to drain a 4.9-foot birdie putt. The Queenslander then birdied the par-5 13th before a superb wedge allowed for birdie.
The 13-time PGA Tour winner made another birdie with a stunning iron shot at the par-3 16th, which resulted in a 5-foot birdie he made.
“I had a bit of a shaky start, [but] I feel good about my game,” Day said.
With plenty of sun forecast for the remaining three laps, Day said patience was the key to staying with the leaders, given that Augusta’s pristine turf will only get firmer and faster.
“When I see five guys ahead and the weather is coming, I have to be very patient,” Day said on his 15th Masters appearance.
“I should take my birds whenever possible and not try to force anything. [I have gotten] We’re off to a great start. We have three more days.
He said temperature will be a major factor.
Day said the rock-hard nature of the course makes even the best golfers in the world fearful of some wedge shots. Specifically, he failed to make birdie on the third shot at 15.
“A lot of people don’t realize how challenging the wedge shot is,” Day said. “This makes us very nervous. Shane and I got off [our golf balls] He went up to the green and bounced to the back. I looked at him and he started laughing, shaking his head.
Day’s fellow Queenslander, former British Open champion Cameron Smith, battled back to a tough finish of 74-over-par with two par 4s in the close.
“Yeah, a couple of quick fives like that,” former world No. 2 Smith said of the final two holes. “This place can do that to you.”
The highlight of Smith’s round was when he chipped in for birdie at the 16th, one over, to return to par. He felt he gave himself work to do but remained hopeful that he could bounce back from the clubhouse-led seven innings.
“I scribbled a little bit today,” Smith said. “Yes, I’m definitely not out of the tournament.
“I made a really bad bogey [the par-5] 13. I was in really good shape and made a bogey which hurt a little bit. But other than that, you know, I made the most of my tour [even though] I didn’t feel that good. I did a good job staying there.
Meanwhile, 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott was one up playing the back nine. Top-seeded Australian Min Woo Lee was languishing on four of the 10-plus holes.
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