[Photo: Getty images]
Jason Day is saying there’s still a chance.
In fact, the former world No.1 and frequent Masters contender mapped out exactly how he could spoil the party as Rory McIlroy chases golfing immortality. The Northern Irish superstar, who needs a Masters green jacket to complete the career grand slam, took a three-shot lead over two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau into the final round of the April major. Despite Day being seven shots behind McIlroy, the Queenslander believes it is possible.
“If he doesn’t do anything early [in] tomorrow [‘s round], there’s some pressure,” Day said on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEST). “If he comes out and he shoots even par the front side, you get something [going] – say four-under the front nine – you’re only [three] back. Anything can happen.”
Australian fans are certainly hoping for a miracle after Day – who was joint runner up on Masters debut in 2011 and third place in 2013 – picked up just one stroke on the leaderboard during a third-round 71 that left him wondering what could have been. Those hopes rest solely on Day after Min Woo Lee – the only other Australian to make the cut – shot a five-over 77 that sank him from one-under to four-over and included a one-shot penalty for causing the ball to move on the par-5 13th.
Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, cited his approach play and putting to blame as he hit just nine greens despite finding a solid 10 of 14 fairways in round three. In short, he didn’t capitalise on good drives.
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Day didn’t make a bogey until the final hole in round two, but had two more on day three. But he has scrambled well and hasn’t yet putted to his otherworldly potential. Perhaps the final round is when it will all come together. It will have to.
“Trying to find just a little bit more control with the irons,” Day said. “I’ve played pretty sound so far. I’ve made three bogeys for the week, which is good. I haven’t been able to capitalise on the opportunities when I get on the green. A little [better] putting, a little bit of [approach play], and who knows what happens.”
McIlroy is on a march towards golf’s holy grail of winning all four majors in his career. He already has a US Open (2011), Open Championship (2014) and two PGA Championship titles (2012 and 2014). Only five greats have ever completed the career grand slam: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Woods was the last to pull it off, if that’s any indication of how difficult it is, and that was at St Andrews almost 25 years ago. But Augusta National is the major that has eluded McIlroy the most, since a meltdown at the 2011 Masters when he led by four going into the final day only to shoot 80. “That was 14 years ago,” McIlroy said when asked about his 2011 Masters heartbreak. “I’m glad I have a short memory.”
Day by no means is wishing ill fortune on McIlroy but he is hoping to apply pressure on him, in addition to the pressure McIlroy already faces in chasing membership in an illustrious slam winners club that eluded golf greats such as Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer.
McIlroy will also play in the final group with DeChambeau, who birdied the 18th on Saturday at Augusta to reach 10-under and cut McIlroy’s 54-hole lead to just two shots. Canadian Corey Conners sat third at eight-under. DeChambeau famously inflicted McIlroy’s most devastating major defeat last year when he strode to a US Open victory at Pinehurst as McIlroy missed two short putts late in the final round to finish an agonising second.
This final round at the Masters, though, is made-for-television golf. And Day is hoping to get himself front and centre of the broadcast. History suggests the 37-year-old Day, at seven shots adrift, still has a mathematical chance. Eight shots (Jack Burke, 1956 winner) is the biggest deficit a Masters champion has overcome in the final round.
“I mean, he’s the best player of our generation for sure,” Day said of McIlroy. “He just makes things look so easy. There’s obviously pressure, but he has pressure every week. He seems determined to accomplish [the slam] but it doesn’t look like he’s focusing on it. If he can come back to us a little bit, Sundays at Augusta are unlike any other tournament.”
Damn right they are. The back nine on Sundays at Augusta are why Day still believes there’s a chance.
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TEE TIMES (AEST) FOR AUSTRALIANS AND FINAL GROUP IN 2025 MASTERS FINAL ROUND
Min Woo Lee/Justin Thomas 10am/12am Monday AEST
Jason Day/Ludvig Aberg 2.10pm/4.10am AEST
Final group (McIlroy and DeChambeau) 2.30pm local/4.30am Monday AEST
