With nine top 10s in majors over six years, Jason Day has been on a lot of short lists to finally win one. On Sunday, on the shores of Lake Michigan, it happened.
His final round showdown with Jordan Spieth was great theater, but Day’s six-under 66 proved too much on this day for even the young Spieth who shot 68. The 2015 PGA Championship provided great story lines on a Dye course where birdies seemed about as likely as double bogeys (and where Dustin Johnson made a double-par eight on his opening hole Sunday).
Elsewhere, Brooke Henderson won the LPGA’s Cambia Portland Classic in an eight-stroke romp. And Tiger Woods, who missed the cut at Whistling Straits, announced that he will play the Wyndham Championship in a bid to extend his season.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Jason Finally Has His Day
After six top fives in majors, my neighbor (well, within 15 miles) just won his first. Australian native and Westerville, Ohio, resident Jason Day won the 2015 PGA Championship, setting a record in the process for the lowest score to par (-20) in a major. Good on ya, Jason! [Link]
Hole #2: There’s a New Sheriff in Town
While Jason Day won the, well, day, Jordan Spieth is your new world #1. [Link]
Hole #3: Spieth Super in Majors
Jordan Spieth’s 2015 scoring average in majors is 68.13. His record on the rest of the tour is 68.8. He was 54-under in majors this year, in going 1st, 1st, T4, 2nd. In 2000, Tiger Woods was 53-under with a fifth and three firsts. So is Spieth’s 2015 on par with or better than Woods 2000? [Link]
Hole #4: Jason Day’s Long Road to Major Champion
The loss of his father, teenage drinking,… not the typical road for a PGA TOUR pro. Here’s Shane Ryan’s chronicle of Day from last summer. [Link]
Hole #5: Billy Hurley’s Father Takes Own Life
Wilard Hurley, 61, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Wednesday. You’ll recall his strange disappearance last month and discovery states-away in a Texas library. [Link]
Hole #6: Rules Controversy of the Week
Are ants animals? Or one more reason I’m not a fan of Bubba. [Link]
Hole #7: From Inside the Cut Line to In Deep Water
You never know what you’ll find in Lake Michigan, John Daly’s club, for instance. [Link]
Hole #8: Amateur Status
Hannah O’Sullivan won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Sunday 3 & 2 over Sierra Brooks in Portland, Oregon. [Link]
Hole #9: Phil’s Slide
And now your moment of Zen… [Link]