Reigning PGA champion, Jason Day, won the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the Barclays after a stellar final round of eight-under par 62. Day finished at a total of 19-under par , six shots clear of his closest pursuer. The Australian golfing sensation now finds himself atop the FedEx Cup points list after his victory this week and in prime position to win the 2015 FedEx Cup a few weeks down the road.
Day carded a perfect, bogey free round on Sunday’s final round, including five closing birdies on his inward nine. Day caught on fire on his final nine holes, dropping lengthy birdie putts in the cup, including a 33-foot bomb on the 15th hole that trickled in center cup. He simply ended up leaving everyone else behind him in the dust.
Jason birdied his final hole to close out his victory in style, and when his final putt found the cup, he raised his fists in triumph and smiled at the crowd.
According to stats provided by the PGA Tour’s website, the third ranked golfer in the world hit only seven out of 14 fairways , but still managed to hit 16 out of 18 greens in regulation, and had a sensational day with his putter.
After his round, Day spoke to the media and discussed just how much he has accomplished and how far he has come since the start of the 2015 season and just how proud he was of his work.
“It feels good, the work is paying off. Obviously, no one likes to get dubbed that name where you can’t close, you can’t finish. But the hard work that I’ve put in, mix that with [how] I’ve kind of changed mentally with how I look at things, I think is helping. Helping a lot.”
With four victories so far this season, including a major championship at the PGA just two weeks ago, the 27-year old’s future is looking very promising. Day’s victory at the PGA seems to have imbued him with confidence and poise, two qualities that have undoubtedly been put on display this past week at the Barclays.
Jason’s performance this week unquestionably elevates him into the discussion of being the world’s best golfer. Although Rory McIlroy still retains his top spot in the world and Jordan Spieth is ranked second, Day is now ranked third and joins the burgeoning field of talented young golfers who are dominating the Tour this season.
Jason will head into next week’s playoff event—the Deutsche Bank Championship—looking to continue his momentum and stellar play into the post season.
[Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images]