By Evin Priest
JASON Day has been knocking on the door of golf’s Major championships for some time now. Along the way, he had nine top 10s from just 20 starts and etched his name into Major folklore when he battled severe vertigo to finish tied ninth at the US Open in June.
So with the five-times US PGA Tour winner’s much anticipated maiden Major comes a sea of congratulations. We’ve collated the world’s reaction to the 27-year-old’s US PGA Championship victory.
First, we contacted the legendary Gary Player for an exclusive comment from the nine-times Major winner on Day’s triumph at Whistling Straits.
“Well, I have been a huge fan of Jason’s for some time now & could not be more thrilled by this superb victory,” Player told Australian Golf Digest.
“Having plugged him to win a major championship for a few years now, I really think he will go on to win even more of the Grand Slam titles.
“What a gentleman. What a role model. What game he has & I think we will be talking about him for years to come. Congrats to him, Ellie & their growing family.
The World Golf Hall of Fame member said Day could, like Player himself, win the career Grand Slam.
“His swing is as good as anybody that plays the game today. He is a driving machine with a superb short game to boot. He can win anywhere, on any course under any conditions. Why not the Grand Slam?”
2 inevitable things happened today, @JDayGolf winning a major and @JordanSpieth getting to 1 in the world! Congrats guys!! Inspiring stuff!
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) August 16, 2015
Game over, very happy for Jason. Great dude and well deserved. Hats off to Jordan, incredible season. Calling it early.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 16, 2015
Absolutely brilliant victory @JDayGolf & congratulations to you & @ellielaneday on this major win @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/tstaFLzBUi
— GARY PLAYER (@garyplayer) August 16, 2015
Loved the golf tonight, Jason Day played some great golf. Hopefully the only Aussie victory for a while!
— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) August 17, 2015
Really cool to see the emotion by @JDayGolf. He's been so close winning a major and now his dreams come true! Amazing job my friend!
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) August 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/cabrera_pato/status/633055046746419200
1000 congrats to Jason Day. Perseverance wins again through an individual with great personal values. Big lesson 4 our young tennis players
— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) August 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/JustinRose99/status/633056984074440704
so fun watching two class acts down the stretch. congrats to Jason day for his first major and to @JordanSpieth for claiming world number 1
— Jack Sock (@JackSock) August 16, 2015
Congratulations to Jason Day, winner of the 97th @PGAChampionship! #SapphireOnLocation http://t.co/weRSMZKclK
— PGA News Feed (@PGANewsFeed) August 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/bryanbrosgolf/status/633085115011350529
Jason Day: "I wouldn't be here if my father hadn't passed away. One door closed, but another opened. My mom sacrificed for me."
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) August 17, 2015
Jason Day is a major champion. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/EI5iolRAoM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 16, 2015
