Jason Day claims US PGA Championship

Jack McAnespie
and others
• 4 min read
jason day

MORE: Play by play - How Jason Day claimed the PGA Championship

Day shot a final round 67, holding his nerve on the back nine to clinch the title on Monday morning (AEST) - holding off a strong challenge from two-time major winner in 2015, Spieth. 

Day came into the final round as the leader by two shots over the Texan, and kept his major threat at arms-length throughout the final round at Whistling Straits. 

It wasn’t all bad news for Spieth, who claimed the world number one spot with outright second - moving ahead of Rory McIlroy. 

Day was reduced to tears after his third shot at the 18th, as a classy Spieth clapped Day as he finished his round three shots in arrears to the Australian. 

The Australian held his nerve in the final major of the year and celebrated with his wife Ellie and son Dash by his side at the 18th green.

"I didn't expect I was going to cry," Day said during the tournament presentation.

"It’s been a long journey. I didn’t expect to ever grow up and be on the PGA tour.

"I don’t want to be all emotional here, but it’s an amazing feeling.

“A lot of emotion has come out because I’ve been so close so many times in major championships and fallen short...

"To be able to play the way I did and finish the way I did was amazing.”

Day’s victory caps off an impressive year, which saw him in contention at the US Open and the Open Championship coming into the final round. 

Day’s four-round total score of 20-under par was a record low for anyone at a major championship. 

Day becomes the fifth Australian to claim the US PGA Championship behind Jim Ferrier (1947), David Graham (1979), Wayne Grady (1990) and Steve Elkington (1995). 

South African Branden Grace was impressive in the final round, finishing third on 15-under, while final round contender Justin Rose crumbled to finish on 14-under in outright fourth. 

 

Author(s)
Jack McAnespie