Jason Day wins his first major at the PGA Championship
Australia’s Jason Day ended his Major drought with a final round 67 to clinch the PGA Championship by three shots. Jordan Spieth was in the hunt for most of the day fell short to finish second.
Branden Grace’s three-under 69 placed him in thrid place ahead of England’s Justin Rose, who shot a 2-under 70.
This is Jason Day’s first major after coming close on so many occasions in the past. The 27-year-old had finished in the Top 10 on nine occasions, which included six top four finishes.
He had to battle vertigo at the US Open earlier this year to take a lead. It was an emotional moment for the Australian, who entered history books with a 20-under par for the tournament, the best score at a Major.
Day hit four birdies in the first seven holes followed by three more in the final nine to thwart the challenge of Spieth, who was aiming for his third Major win of the year. Spieth finished with a 68, which ensured the No. 1 ranking for the first time in his career.
"It's been a long journey, I didn't expect to ever grow up and be on the PGA Tour," Day told ABC.
"It's an amazing feeling, this has been a dream since I've been 12 years old — to stand up in front of a crowd like this and hold the PGA [title] is really special.
Ding dong the witch is dead. #PGAChampionship #winning pic.twitter.com/uwBFKRvWBn
— Jason Day (@JDayGolf) August 17, 2015
"I didn't expect to cry. A lot of emotion came out.I've been so close [to a major] so many times.”
"To play the way I did ... I could tell that he (Spieth) was the favourite, and to play the way I did and to finish the way I did was special."
Spieth bogeyed on the fourth after three birdies in the first six holes to miss out on his third Major.
“Sometimes, there’s not much you can do,” Spieth told the Wall Street Journal. Spieth capped off one of the best Major years in the modern era finishing at 54-under par for the four Major championships, one shot better than Tiger Woods (-53) in 2000.
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
McIlroy, who returned to the tour after an ankle injury finished with a 69 at nine under.
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
India’s Anirban Lahiri shot four sub-par rounds to finish tied fifth. It is the best finish by an Indian in Majors.