[PHOTO: Getty Images]
Legendary coach Col Swatton believes his star student Jason Day can capture a long-awaited second career major victory, but the Queenslander harbours a bigger picture goal fans may have overlooked.
When former world No.1 Day captured his 13th career PGA Tour win at the 2023 Byron Nelson it triggered a dream to reach 20 PGA Tour wins. Not only would that put him level with Greg Norman for the most PGA Tour wins by an Australian but it would also trigger a lifetime membership on the US circuit.
PGA Tour rules state those who win 20 times in their career receive a lifetime membership, which includes a category that provides exemptions into a host of tournaments. The rule used to mandate 20-win players also play a minimum of 15 seasons but that condition was scrapped in 2022.
On the eve of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, Swatton, Day’s coach for most of his adult life, said the 37-year-old had set his sights on that milestone.
“When you reach the highest of highs, and you become the best player in the world, suddenly it feels a little different up there and [you reset your goals],” Swatton told Australian reporters on Tuesday. “I think for Jason, he’s got his heart set on trying to be fully exempt for a lifetime on the PGA Tour, and that’s 20-plus wins. I think unfinished business in getting back to the No.1 player in the world, I think that’s definitely on his radar.
“Jason is in a different place [in life] now. He’s got five kids. [Eldest son] Dash is a very fine golfer in his own right. Jason wants to also to set examples; This is what your dad did, but also this is who your dad is. Lifetime lessons for his kids. He wants to prove not only to himself, but to his family that, This is who Jason Day is.“
Swatton was also Day’s caddie for many years and the pair teamed up to win the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
It’s been almost 10 years since Day broke through the major barrier at the 2015 PGA Championship and the Beaudesert pro has had close calls since then without bagging a second big title. Swatton sees it happening in the not-too-distant future.
World No.32 Day withdrew from last week’s Truist Championship and is one of seven Australians in the field at Quail Hollow for the second major of 2025. Day was well in contention at the Masters last month and started the final day on the same score at Augusta National as Justin Rose, who wound up in a playoff with eventual winner Rory McIlroy.
“I’ve definitely seen the signs that I need to see to feel encouraged, and I think Jason’s seen the signs that he’s seen to feel also encouraged,” Swatton said. “So whether it’s this year or not, I definitely think he’s got another [major] in him, if not more.”
Day is joined in the PGA field by Cam Davis, Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, Cameron Smith and Karl Vilips. Smith, Day and Scott were in the field at the 2017 edition at Quail Hollow.
