Dwell
Jason Day couldn’t fairly make it Jason’s day on the British Open – however the rejuvenated Australian celebrity was nonetheless left thrilled after becoming a member of a number of legends together with his near-miss at Royal Liverpool.
The Queenslander couldn’t conceal his delight and delight at once more being again in a serious dust-up as he completed in a four-way tie for the runner’s-up spot at rain-sodden Hoylake on Sunday (native time).
However whereas American Brian Harman was working away with the Claret Jug within the driving rain, successful by six strokes, the 35-year-old Day was left with the not insubstantial comfort of becoming a member of an elite membership.
For by ending runner-up, he matches a number of luminaries – Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, Louis Oosthuizen, Craig Wooden and Dustin Johnson – as simply the ninth participant within the recreation’s historical past to be a runner-up in any respect 4 majors. As nicely, in fact, as successful one.
And although he by no means regarded like including to his 2015 PGA title as Harman dominated, in Day’s battle for second place with Korean Tom Kim, Austrian Sepp Straka and Spain’s Jon Rahm – one which finally ended all sq. at seven underneath – there was widespread delight on the in style determine rediscovering the shape that when made him world No.1.
“I’m completely happy. Contemplating my play over the past month and a bit hasn’t been that nice, and I didn’t have the best confidence coming into this week, to have the ability to end tied second was good,” mentioned Day, who was additionally runner-up on the Masters and US Open in 2011 and the PGA in 2016.
“Sadly, I hadn’t performed that nice within the majors this yr, so it was good – simply the sluggish, gradual enhance in confidence via good play.”
Day knew, like the remainder of Harman’s pursuers, that solely a collapse of Greg Norman-like proportions from the American would give anybody else an opportunity to win. However he was nonetheless pissed off he didn’t get somewhat nearer after a remaining two-under spherical of 69 that featured 4 birdies and two bogeys.
“I want I might have lower into the lead somewhat bit extra. You simply by no means know. When somebody has such a terrific lead, and then you definately form of lower into it, you simply by no means know what they’re going to do underneath the pump,” he mentioned.
However whereas Rahm and Straka bought to inside three strokes, Day couldn’t get nearer than six.
There was only a second, although, after lacking the inexperienced, when he delivered one of many pictures of the day – a chip from 33 ft that flew over a bunker and rolled into the opening for a second straight birdie – when a Day cost regarded on the playing cards. When he sought extra inspiration, although, he may discover solely solidity.
In the meantime, Cameron Smith bowed out as Champion Golfer of the Yr with a smile within the rain after firing a final-round 73 to complete at one over.
“It was superior being again. I might have appreciated to have finished a greater job at defending it, however, yeah, simply wasn’t my week this week,” mentioned the 29-year-old, who completed tied for thirty third, alongside Adam Scott, who accomplished his twenty third Open with a two-under 69.
“I can’t wait to get again right here subsequent yr and provides it one other crack. It’s golf that I’ve realized to like,” he mentioned.
The large let-down for the Australian problem got here with Min Woo Lee’s last-round hunch to complete at two over.
After mendacity joint-fourth with Day at midway, the rising star from Perth regarded moist, bedraggled and only a bit fed up as his three last-round birdies had been offset by seven dropped pictures in his 75.
“It was fairly brutal on the market. Didn’t actually have the mindset of it being that moist for that lengthy,” he mentioned.
“All day we just about had the umbrella up.”
-AAP