Jason Day
Jason Day (born November 12, 1987) is an Australian professional golfer who competes primarily on the PGA Tour.[1]Born in Beaudesert, Queensland, Day turned professional in 2006 after a successful amateur career in Australia and earned full PGA Tour membership in 2008.[2] He is known for his fluid, powerful swing and has amassed career earnings exceeding $64 million on the PGA Tour.[2] Day first won on the PGA Tour at the 2010 AT&T Byron Nelson Championship and quickly established himself as a top contender, culminating in his ascent to the world number one ranking in September 2015 following a victory at the BMW Championship.[3] He held the top spot for a total of 51 weeks between 2015 and 2017.[4] His most prestigious title is the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, where he finished three strokes ahead of Jordan Spieth to claim his sole major victory.[2] In addition to 13 PGA Tour wins, Day captured The Players Championship in 2016—often regarded as golf's "fifth major"—and two World Golf Championships events: the 2014 WGC-Accenture Match Play and the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.[2] Following a challenging period marked by back injuries, vertigo, and personal tragedies—including the deaths of his father and mother—Day experienced a resurgence in 2023, securing victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the AT&T Byron Nelson, his first PGA Tour wins in over five years.[5] He has represented the International team in five Presidents Cup competitions (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2024) and competed for Australia at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.[2] As of November 2025, Day stands at 47th in the Official World Golf Ranking and remains active on the PGA Tour, ranked 41st in the FedExCup standings for the season.[2]
Early years
Early life
Jason Day was born on November 12, 1987, in Beaudesert, a rural town in Queensland, Australia. His father, Alvin Day, was of Australian and Irish heritage, while his mother, Dening Day, had emigrated from the Philippines to Australia in the early 1980s. The couple raised Jason and his two older sisters, Yanna and Kim, in modest conditions amid financial hardships. Alvin played a pivotal role in the family's life, working as a miner and introducing his son to golf at a young age. Day began playing golf at the age of six, when his father gave him a toy club salvaged from a local dump and enrolled him in the junior program at Kooralbyn Valley Country Club, a challenging course in the Scenic Rim region that would become a formative training ground. The family relied on Alvin's income, but tragedy struck in 2000 when he died of stomach cancer at age 51, leaving 12-year-old Day, his mother, and sisters in severe financial strain. Dening took on multiple jobs, including cleaning and factory work, to support the family, while encouraging Jason to channel his grief into golf as a path to stability. Following his father's death, Day attended Kooralbyn International School, a boarding institution near the golf club that emphasized athletic development, before transferring to Hills International College in Jimboomba, Queensland, another boarding school with a renowned golf academy. These environments provided structured training and discipline during a turbulent period marked by adolescent rebellion, including experimentation with alcohol. In 2006, at age 18 and shortly after graduating from Hills, Day relocated to the United States to pursue a professional career, marking the end of his formative years in Australia.Amateur career
Day's amateur career gained momentum in 2004 when, at age 16, he captured the Australian Boys' Amateur Championship at Yowani Country Club in Canberra, securing a five-shot victory over runner-up Steven Jeffress. That same year, he represented Australia at the World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego, California, where he dominated the Boys 15-17 division with a four-round score of 281 (-7), beating the field by two strokes and earning individual honors for his team.[6][7][3] In 2005, Day showcased his ability to compete against professionals by tying for the lead at the Queensland PGA Championship, a tour event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, before losing in a four-hole playoff to Scott Gardiner after both posted 23-under-par totals of 261; as the top amateur, this near-win underscored his rapid rise.[8] Day's form peaked in 2006, with victories at the Australian Amateur Stroke Play and NEC Master of the Amateurs, propelling him to a career-high No. 7 ranking in the World Amateur Golf Ranking that year.[9][9] At 18, Day opted to forgo a college scholarship offer from the University of Nevada and turned professional in July 2006 following his Master of the Amateurs win, immediately signing a management deal with IMG and gaining sponsor exemptions for PGA Tour events.[9][2]Professional career
2006–2010: Early professional years
Jason Day turned professional in July 2006 at the age of 18, shortly after winning the NEC Master of the Amateurs as an amateur. He made his PGA Tour debut later that month at the John Deere Classic, where he missed the cut after rounds of 73 and 72.[10] To secure playing status, Day competed in the 2006 PGA Tour Qualifying School, advancing from the second stage with a tie for first in his section before finishing 18th in the final stage to earn conditional PGA Tour privileges for 2007. With limited PGA Tour opportunities, he primarily competed on the Nationwide Tour that year, where he achieved a breakthrough victory at the Legend Financial Group Classic in July. Closing with a 4-under 67 for a one-shot win over Scott Gardiner, Day became the youngest winner in Nationwide Tour history at 19 years, 7 months, and 26 days old; the $94,500 prize elevated him to fifth on the season's money list, granting full PGA Tour exemption for 2008.[11] Entering the PGA Tour full-time in 2008, Day recorded three top-10 finishes in his rookie season, including a T6 at the St. Jude Classic, but battled inconsistency, finishing 126th on the money list and losing his card. He regained full status for 2009 through the Nationwide Tour money list and showed improvement with five top-10s, highlighted by a T4 at the Transitions Championship. In 2010, Day cemented his arrival with his maiden PGA Tour victory at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, holding a three-shot lead entering the final round and closing with a 2-over 72 to win by three over Brian Gay at 10-under 270; at 22 years and 6 months, he became the youngest Australian winner on the PGA Tour. That season also featured strong major performances, such as a T9 at the PGA Championship, his first top-10 in a major.[12] Despite these milestones, Day's early professional years were marked by uneven results and emerging health challenges. In 2010, he underwent surgery to remove a sinus cyst, which triggered bouts of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), causing dizziness and nausea that first significantly impacted his play during the U.S. Open, where he collapsed on the course but finished T28. These issues, combined with general inconsistency, limited him to two professional victories during the period while he adapted to the rigors of full-time competition.[13][14]2011–2014: Rise to contention
In 2011, Jason Day emerged as a major contender with strong performances in his early appearances at golf's biggest events. At the Masters Tournament, his debut major of the year, he tied for second place with a total score of 276 (-12), finishing three strokes behind winner Charl Schwartzel after rounds of 72, 64, 72, and 68. Later that season at the U.S. Open, Day secured solo second place at 276 (-8), eight strokes behind Rory McIlroy, marking his first runner-up finish in the event. These results propelled him into the world's top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking by the end of 2011, where he finished the year at No. 8.[15][16][17] Day maintained momentum through 2012 and 2013 with multiple top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour each year, including a T9 at the 2012 PGA Championship and a T4 at the 2013 Masters, showcasing his consistency among the elite. His form peaked again in majors during 2013 at the PGA Championship, where he tied for third at 277 (-5), one stroke behind winner Rory McIlroy and alongside Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson. Internationally, Day contributed to Australia's victory at the 2013 ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne, partnering with Adam Scott to win the team event by two strokes over Sweden after a final-round 70, earning $1.2 million for the individual title as well. He also represented the International team in the Presidents Cup in 2011 at Royal Melbourne (a 19.5–14.5 win over the U.S.) and 2013 at Muirfield Village (another 17–16 victory), going 2-3-0 and 3-1-1 respectively.[18][19][20] The year 2014 marked Day's breakthrough on the PGA Tour with his second career victory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, defeating Victor Dubuisson 1-up on the fifth extra hole (23rd hole overall) in the final to claim the $1.53 million first prize. He followed with another strong major showing at the PGA Championship, tying for second at 275 (-13) alongside Brooks Koepka, Lee Westwood, and Adam Scott, four strokes behind Rory McIlroy. These achievements solidified his status as a top-10 mainstay, with five top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour that season.[21][22] Throughout this period, Day grappled with emerging health challenges that occasionally disrupted his progress. Chronic back pain, which began affecting him in the early 2010s, led to multiple withdrawals and limited practice, including a thumb injury that hampered his 2014 Masters preparation. Additionally, his first bout of vertigo forced him to withdraw during the third round of the 2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, marking the onset of recurring dizziness episodes tied to inner ear issues. Despite these setbacks, Day's resilience allowed him to achieve career-high consistency and contention in high-stakes events.[23][24][25]2015: Major victory and World No. 1
Jason Day's 2015 season marked a breakthrough year, highlighted by multiple victories and his first major championship. He began the year strongly by winning the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in February, prevailing in a four-man playoff with a par on the second extra hole after a closing 2-under 70. This triumph, his third PGA Tour title, set the tone for a dominant stretch where he secured six wins overall, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Canadian Open, PGA Championship, The Barclays, and BMW Championship. These successes propelled him toward the pinnacle of professional golf, culminating in his ascent to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).[26][27] The pinnacle of Day's season came at the PGA Championship in August at Whistling Straits, where he claimed his first major title by three strokes over Jordan Spieth, finishing at a record 20-under par with a final-round 67. This wire-to-wire victory not only established a new major championship scoring record but also served as a personal milestone, as Day dedicated the win to his late father, Alvin, who passed away from stomach cancer when Day was 12 years old; the emotional moment saw Day in tears on the 18th green, reflecting on the family's sacrifices. Building on this momentum, Day won the BMW Championship the following month by six strokes, earning him the World No. 1 ranking on September 21, 2015—a position he would hold for a total of 51 weeks across his career.[28][29][30] Throughout the year, Day demonstrated remarkable consistency, recording 13 top-10 finishes in 18 starts and earning a career-high $9.4 million in prize money, finishing second on the PGA Tour money list behind Jordan Spieth. His strong major performances included a T9 at the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, where he closed with a 74 despite battling vertigo during the tournament, and a T4 at The Open Championship at St Andrews, shooting 274 to tie for fourth. These results underscored Day's emergence as a complete player, blending power, precision, and resilience en route to a transformative season.[31][32][33]2016–2018: Peak dominance
Following his ascent to World No. 1 in 2015, Jason Day maintained elite form throughout 2016, securing three PGA Tour victories and defending his top ranking for the entire year.[34] He began the season with a wire-to-wire win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, finishing at 17-under par to claim his eighth career PGA Tour title.[35] Day added the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play in April, defeating Louis Oosthuizen 5-and-4 in the final, and capped the year with a dominant four-shot victory at THE PLAYERS Championship, where he opened with a course-record-tying 63.[36] These triumphs, combined with consistent major performances—including a T10 at the Masters, T8 at the U.S. Open, runner-up at the PGA Championship, and T22 at The Open—underscored his sustained dominance, as he earned $6,418,192 and ended the year ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.[37][34][38] In 2017, Day faced challenges from injuries and illness that led to ranking fluctuations, yet he posted several strong results, including no victories but multiple top finishes that highlighted his resilience. A back injury and double ear infection sidelined him early, contributing to the loss of his World No. 1 status to Dustin Johnson in February after 47 weeks at the top.[39][40] Despite this, he achieved a T3 at The American Express and T4 at the Travelers Championship, along with a T8 at the Masters, though he missed cuts at the PGA Championship and The Open.[41] Day contributed to the International team at the Presidents Cup, posting a 1-3-1 record in a losing effort against the United States, and finished the year with $2,558,081 in earnings while ranked No. 13 worldwide.[20][34][38] Day rebounded in 2018 with two PGA Tour wins and solid major contention, reinforcing his status among the tour's top performers despite ongoing physical hurdles. He snapped a 682-day victory drought with a playoff birdie over Alex Noren at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, then won the Wells Fargo Championship by two strokes at Quail Hollow, birdieing three of the final four holes to close at 12-under.[42][43] These successes propelled him back into the top 10 rankings mid-year, and he contended in majors with a T10 at the PGA Championship (tying for 10th at 9-under), though results were mixed elsewhere, including a T20 at the Masters and T17 at The Open.[37][44] Day earned $4,736,472 that season, ending ranked No. 14 and averaging a top-20 world position across the period.[34][38] Over the 2016–2018 span, Day amassed five PGA Tour wins and over $13.7 million in official earnings, establishing a benchmark of consistency with frequent top-10 finishes and major contention that defined his peak years.[2][38] His ability to navigate injuries while delivering high-level play, including representative strong showings in team events and signature tournaments, solidified his reputation as one of golf's premier talents during this era.[45]2019–2022: Challenges and setbacks
Following his peak years, Jason Day entered a challenging phase marked by inconsistent form, persistent injuries, and a deliberate emphasis on family life, resulting in no PGA Tour victories from 2019 through 2022. In 2019, Day recorded no wins and managed only one top-10 finish on the PGA Tour, a tied ninth at the Masters Tournament where he shot a final-round 67 to climb the leaderboard despite earlier back discomfort. His world ranking slipped to 37th by year's end, reflecting limited competitive success amid adjustments to prioritize time with his young family, including his third child born the previous November, which influenced his selective tournament schedule.[46][47][48][49] The 2020 season, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, offered glimpses of recovery with five top-10 finishes, highlighted by a tied fourth at the PGA Championship after opening with a first-round 65 at TPC Harding Park. Despite these results, Day struggled with overall consistency in a condensed schedule, ending the year ranked 43rd in the world. He attempted equipment changes, including irons from new brands, to alleviate swing-related strains, but persistent physical issues limited his momentum.[50][47][51] By 2021, back problems intensified, leading to a reduced schedule and withdrawals, such as from the Memorial Tournament due to a flare-up that prevented full swings. Day posted three top-10 finishes but played just 16 events, prioritizing recovery and family; his ranking plummeted to 123rd by December. In 2022, he continued to limit appearances for balance, achieving two top-10s including a tied third at the Farmers Insurance Open, yet ended the year at 112th amid ongoing form struggles. Day openly addressed mental health challenges, describing the pressure of reclaiming elite status while managing physical tolls and personal life as a "four-year nightmare" that tested his resilience.[52][53][47][54][47][55][56]2023–2025: Resurgence and recent form
Following a period of challenges, Jason Day experienced a notable resurgence in 2023, marked by strong performances across several key events. He finished tied for third at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, showcasing improved consistency in his ball-striking and putting. Later that year, Day secured his 13th PGA Tour victory at the AT&T Byron Nelson, closing with a 9-under 62 to win by one stroke over Austin Eckroat and Si Woo Kim, ending a five-year drought without a Tour win.[57] In December, he partnered with Lydia Ko to win the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational, a mixed-team event, by three strokes with a final-round 66 in four-ball format.[58] Day capped the year with a runner-up finish at the Open Championship, tying for second at 7-under behind Brian Harman, which elevated him to No. 19 in the Official World Golf Ranking by year's end. In 2024, Day maintained competitiveness despite mixed major results, finishing tied for 30th at the Masters, tied for 43rd at the PGA Championship, and missing the cut at the U.S. Open.[59] He rebounded to tie for 13th at the Open Championship at 1-over par, demonstrating resilience on links courses.[60] Throughout the season, Day posted several top-25 finishes in non-major events, contributing to steady earnings and positioning him as a reliable contender in his mid-30s. As of November 2025, Day's form has shown flashes of brilliance amid inconsistencies in the majors. He tied for eighth at the Masters, his best finish there since 2013, before missing the cut at the PGA Championship and tying for 23rd at the U.S. Open.[61] At the Open Championship, he again missed the cut with rounds of 73-71.[61] Outside the majors, Day delivered strong performances, including a notable 8-under 64 in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and competitive showings at the Travelers Championship.[62] His 2025 earnings reached approximately $3.7 million on the PGA Tour.[38] In interviews, Day expressed determination to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking, stating, "I want to get back to World No. 1... I know how hard I had to work to get there."[63] Over this period, Day's resurgence was bolstered by an equipment overhaul, including a unconventional 13-club setup introduced in October 2025, featuring prototype curved-face Avoda irons, KBS graphite shafts, and JumboMax grips to enhance feel and consistency.[64] These changes contributed to his restoration to the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking in 2023 for the first time since 2019, though he stood at No. 47 as of November 2025.[65]Off the course
Personal life
Jason Day was born in Beaudesert, Queensland, to parents Alvin and Dening Day. His father, Alvin, died of stomach cancer when Day was 12 years old, an event that profoundly impacted his life and motivated his dedication to golf.[66] Day's mother, Dening, passed away in March 2022 after a five-year battle with lung cancer.[67] Day married Ellie Harvey, whom he met in 2005 while she was working as a hostess at Mavis Winkle's Irish Pub in Twinsburg, Ohio.[49] The couple began dating in 2007 and wed in October 2009 in a ceremony held in a barn near Ellie's hometown of Bellville, Ohio.[49] Day and his wife have five children: sons Dash (born July 2012), Arrow (born November 2018), and Oz (born June 2021); and daughters Lucy (born November 2015) and Winnie (born September 2023).[49] The family resides on an 11-acre property in Ohio, where Day maintains a private practice facility, reflecting his Australian roots while establishing a permanent home in the United States.[68] Day has emphasized the importance of work-life balance, particularly after dealing with injuries, by reducing his tournament schedule to spend more time with his family, stating, "I can finally be a dad again. That is one of the most important things."[68] His family often travels with him, homeschooling on the road and using a bus for convenience during the season.[68] Outside of golf, Day enjoys playing video games, including golf simulations to familiarize himself with courses like Torrey Pines.[3] He is also an avid supporter of Australian sports, particularly rugby, and has expressed enthusiasm for the National Rugby League expanding to the United States.[69] In philanthropy, Day co-founded the Brighter Days Foundation with his wife in 2011 to support underprivileged children and families in Central Ohio, partnering with local nonprofits to provide basic needs and access to youth golf programs.[70] That same year, he contributed to Queensland flood relief efforts by pledging support through the Presidents Cup initiative, aiding recovery from the devastating 2011 floods in his home state.[71]Health issues
Jason Day first experienced vertigo-like symptoms in 2010, stemming from a cyst in his sinus cavity that necessitated surgery, with the condition linked to inner ear disturbances often exacerbated by allergies, fatigue, or competitive stress.[13] The issue became widely known during the 2015 U.S. Open, where he collapsed on the course from severe dizziness and nausea but returned to compete, attributing later episodes to a viral ear infection causing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).[72] Recurrent bouts have persisted, including flare-ups at the 2023 Masters and Wells Fargo Championship, managed primarily through medication and lifestyle adjustments to mitigate triggers.[73] Chronic back pain has plagued Day since the early 2010s, resulting from the repetitive torque of the modern golf swing and leading to multiple tournament withdrawals, such as the 2016 Tour Championship and the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational after aggravating an L4-L5 disc issue.[74] An MRI in 2019 confirmed an annular tear in a lower spinal disc, prompting non-surgical interventions including targeted procedures in early 2020 to reduce inflammation and nerve pressure.[75] He also sustained a left thumb injury in 2014, requiring a cast and sidelining him for about three weeks, which disrupted his momentum ahead of major events.[76] In 2025, Day dealt with additional setbacks, including illness leading to withdrawal from The Players Championship in March, a neck disc herniation causing withdrawal from the Wells Fargo Championship in May, and a sore left wrist that forced him to miss the Memorial Tournament in May; he recovered to compete in subsequent events.[77][78][79] Following a challenging period marked by physical setbacks around 2020, Day emphasized mental health management, collaborating with a mental performance coach to address performance-related anxiety and build resilience amid ongoing health battles.[80] To cope, he adopted balloon breathing therapy in 2019, a technique that aligns his rib cage, hips, and shoulders while strengthening his core to ease back strain during swings.[81] Day reduced his tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022 to focus on rehabilitation, and he adjusted his equipment setup—incorporating lighter graphite shafts and a streamlined 13-club bag in 2025—to minimize bodily stress and promote a more fluid, one-swing motion.[82] These strategies have enabled better health control, fueling Day's resurgence from 2023 onward, highlighted by his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and four top-10 finishes in 2025, with family providing essential emotional backing throughout his recoveries.[83][2]Achievements
Awards and honors
Jason Day first reached the world number one position in the Official World Golf Ranking on September 20, 2015, after winning the BMW Championship, and held the ranking for a total of 51 non-consecutive weeks through May 2017.[84] This period marked a peak in his career, during which he competed closely with players like Jordan Spieth for supremacy in the rankings.[85] In the 2015 FedEx Cup season, Day finished third in the final standings with 3,616 points, behind winner Jordan Spieth (5,560 points) and runner-up Henrik Stenson (3,957 points), earning him a significant bonus and recognition for his consistent performance across five victories that year.[86] Day received the inaugural Greg Norman Medal in 2015 as Australia's top-performing international male golfer, awarded by Golf Australia for his breakout season that included a major championship win and ascent to world No. 1; he repeated as winner in 2016.[87] That same year, he was honored with The Don Award from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, recognizing the Australian athlete whose performance most inspired the nation, highlighted by his PGA Championship victory and resilience amid personal health challenges.[88] Day was nominated for the ESPY Award for Best Male Golfer in 2016, competing against Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, and Danny Willett, though Spieth ultimately won for his two major titles that year.[89] He also earned a nomination for the Vardon Trophy, awarded by the PGA of America for the lowest adjusted scoring average, finishing as runner-up in 2015 with a 69.161 average across 75 rounds, behind Spieth's 68.911.[90]Professional wins
Jason Day has accumulated 19 professional victories across various tours and events throughout his career. These include 13 wins on the PGA Tour, one on the Korn Ferry Tour (formerly the Nationwide Tour), and five additional triumphs in international, team, and exhibition formats.[2][91]PGA Tour wins (13)
Day's PGA Tour successes span from his debut victory in 2010 to his most recent in 2023, showcasing his consistency at the highest level of professional golf. The following table details these wins, including dates and tournament locations:| No. | Date | Tournament | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 23, 2010 | HP Byron Nelson Championship | Irving, Texas, USA |
| 2 | February 23, 2014 | WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship | Marana, Arizona, USA |
| 3 | February 8, 2015 | Farmers Insurance Open | San Diego, California, USA |
| 4 | July 26, 2015 | RBC Canadian Open | Caledon, Ontario, Canada |
| 5 | August 16, 2015 | PGA Championship | Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, USA |
| 6 | August 30, 2015 | The Barclays | Paramus, New Jersey, USA |
| 7 | September 20, 2015 | BMW Championship | Norton, Massachusetts, USA |
| 8 | March 20, 2016 | Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard | Orlando, Florida, USA |
| 9 | March 27, 2016 | WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play | Austin, Texas, USA |
| 10 | May 15, 2016 | The Players Championship | Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA |
| 11 | January 29, 2018 | Farmers Insurance Open | San Diego, California, USA |
| 12 | May 6, 2018 | Wells Fargo Championship | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| 13 | May 14, 2023 | AT&T Byron Nelson | McKinney, Texas, USA |
Korn Ferry Tour wins (1)
Day secured his first professional title on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2007, which helped propel him toward full PGA Tour status.| No. | Date | Tournament | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 8, 2007 | Legend Financial Group Classic | Medina, Ohio, USA |
Other wins (5)
Day has also triumphed in select international and team events outside the primary tours, highlighting his versatility in global competitions.| No. | Date | Tournament | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 24, 2013 | ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf (with Adam Scott) | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| 2 | November 24, 2013 | World Cup of Golf Individual Trophy | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| 3 | December 13, 2014 | Franklin Templeton Shootout (with Cameron Tringale) | Naples, Florida, USA |
| 4 | October 21, 2019 | MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins | Inzai, Chiba, Japan |
| 5 | December 10, 2023 | Grant Thornton Invitational (with Lydia Ko) | Naples, Florida, USA |
Amateur wins
Prior to turning professional in 2006, Day achieved notable success as an amateur, including two significant junior titles in 2004.- Australian Boys' Amateur Championship (2004)
- Callaway World Junior Championship (Boys 15–17 division, 2004)
Major championships
Jason Day has competed in golf's four major championships since his debut in 2010, achieving one victory and multiple high finishes that highlight his contention in elite events. His sole major win came at the 2015 PGA Championship, where he set a record for the lowest score to par in major history. Overall, Day has recorded 17 top-10 finishes across 56 major appearances, with a cuts-made rate of approximately 75%.[92][93] Day's breakthrough major triumph occurred at the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. He opened with a 3-under 68 to share the lead, followed by a 4-under 67 in the second round to take a one-shot advantage over the field. In the third round, Day fired a 5-under 66, highlighted by birdies on holes 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16, extending his lead to three shots over Jordan Spieth. Closing with a 3-under 67 in the final round, he fended off Spieth's charge—despite a bogey on the 15th—to finish at 20-under 268, three strokes ahead of the runner-up and establishing a new major scoring record to par.[28][94][95] Day's major results demonstrate consistent contention, particularly in the early to mid-2010s, with strong showings in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. Notable near-misses include runner-up finishes at the 2011 and 2013 U.S. Opens, a second place at the 2016 PGA Championship, and a tie for second at the 2023 Open Championship. His recent form showed resurgence with a T8 at the 2025 Masters. Below is a year-by-year timeline of his finishes:| Year | Masters | U.S. Open | PGA Championship | The Open Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | - | - | - | T60 [96] |
| 2011 | T2 | 2 | CUT | T30 |
| 2012 | WD | T59 | CUT | - |
| 2013 | 3 | T2 | T8 | T32 |
| 2014 | T20 | T4 | T15 | T58 |
| 2015 | T28 | T9 | 1 | T4 |
| 2016 | T10 | T8 | 2 | T22 |
| 2017 | T22 | CUT | T9 | T27 |
| 2018 | T20 | CUT | T19 | T17 |
| 2019 | T5 | T21 | T23 | CUT |
| 2020 | - | T38 | T4 | T42 [92] |
| 2021 | CUT | - | T44 | CUT |
| 2022 | - | - | T55 | - |
| 2023 | T39 | CUT | CUT | T2 |
| 2024 | T30 | CUT | T43 | T13 |
| 2025 | T8 | T23 | CUT | CUT |
The Players Championship
Jason Day made his debut in The Players Championship in 2008 as a 20-year-old rookie on the PGA Tour.[2] Over the years, he has established himself as a consistent contender at TPC Sawgrass, recording multiple top-25 finishes in the event often regarded as golf's "fifth major." His performances have included a tied for fifth place in 2018, where he finished at 13-under par with rounds of 69-64-72-70.[98] Day's most notable achievement came in 2016, when he captured his only Players Championship title in wire-to-wire fashion. Entering the week as the world No. 1, Day opened with a course-record-tying 9-under-par 63, featuring birdies on his first three holes (Nos. 10, 11, and 12) after starting on the back nine, followed by additional birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 to cap a birdie streak across five of his last seven holes in the round. He followed with a 66 in the second round to reach 15-under after 36 holes, setting a tournament record for the lowest 36-hole score at the time. Despite a tougher weekend with rounds of 73 and 71—including birdies on Nos. 10, 12, and 16 in the final round to maintain control—Day finished at 15-under 273, securing a four-stroke victory over Kevin Chappell. This win marked his 10th PGA Tour title and solidified his status as one of the elite players at the event.[36][99] Post-2016, Day's results at The Players have shown resilience amid health challenges, including ongoing back issues. In 2017, as defending champion, he struggled particularly in the final round with an 80, finishing tied for 60th at 7-over par after rounds of 70-72-73-80.[100] He missed the cut in 2015 with scores of 69-81 (+6 total) and tied for 48th in 2014 at 1-under par. More recently, Day withdrew prior to the first round of the 2025 edition due to illness, marking another setback in his Sawgrass appearances.[101][102][103] Overall, Day's record reflects seven top-25 finishes across his 15 appearances through 2024, underscoring his affinity for the challenging Stadium Course layout.[104]World Golf Championships
Jason Day has enjoyed notable success in the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, a prestigious set of elite invite-only tournaments on the PGA Tour featuring top global players in no-cut formats. He secured two victories in the WGC Match Play Championship, establishing himself as a formidable competitor in the match-play discipline.[2] Day's first WGC title came in 2014 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona, where he defeated Victor Dubuisson of France in a sudden-death playoff at the 23rd hole after a tightly contested final. This win, his second on the PGA Tour, earned him $1.53 million and propelled him into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.[21] In 2016, Day captured his second WGC crown at the WGC-Dell Match Play in Austin, Texas, dominating the final against Louis Oosthuizen with a 5&4 victory. The triumph, following his win at The Players Championship the previous week, returned him to the world No. 1 ranking and highlighted his peak form during a season with three PGA Tour victories.[105] Beyond his wins, Day has been a consistent performer across the WGC events, amassing 10 top-10 finishes in his career. Notable results include a T4 at the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he finished at 6-under par behind winner Tiger Woods, and a T5 at the 2013 WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, his best performance in that event. These finishes underscore his ability to contend in high-stakes, international fields, contributing to his reputation as a reliable elite-level player in the series' stroke-play and match-play components.[2][106][107]Career statistics
PGA Tour summary
Jason Day's PGA Tour career, beginning in 2006, encompasses 371 starts, 286 cuts made, 13 victories, 99 top-10 finishes, and total earnings of $64,871,738 as of November 2025.[108] His consistency is highlighted by a strong record of advancing to the weekend in over 77% of events, reflecting his reliability during peak years.[2] Day's standout season came in 2015, when he secured five wins—including the PGA Championship—and led the tour with a scoring average of 69.89 over 22 rounds.[109] In the FedEx Cup, Day finished as runner-up in 2015 after winning two playoff events (The Barclays and BMW Championship), and he has qualified for the postseason in 16 of his 20 eligible seasons through 2025, with multiple top-10 finishes in playoff events.[110] The following table summarizes Day's yearly performance from 2006 to 2025, focusing on wins, top-10 finishes (where documented), earnings, and FedEx Cup ranking. Data reflects official PGA Tour figures, with representative highlights for peak performance years.| Year | Wins | Top-10s | Earnings | FedEx Cup Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | - | $174,508 | - |
| 2007 | 0 | - | - | - |
| 2008 | 0 | 5 | $767,393 | 52nd |
| 2009 | 0 | 4 | $1,251,219 | 45th |
| 2010 | 1 | 6 | $2,710,479 | 29th |
| 2011 | 0 | 10 | $2,346,512 | 10th |
| 2012 | 0 | 8 | $1,123,278 | 36th |
| 2013 | 0 | 9 | $2,139,425 | 17th |
| 2014 | 1 | 12 | $3,211,407 | 5th |
| 2015 | 5 | 13 | $9,403,330 | 5th |
| 2016 | 2 | 9 | $6,418,192 | 8th |
| 2017 | 0 | 7 | $2,558,081 | 19th |
| 2018 | 2 | 8 | $4,736,472 | 13th |
| 2019 | 0 | 5 | $2,024,944 | 42nd |
| 2020 | 0 | 3 | $1,539,548 | 53rd |
| 2021 | 0 | 2 | $1,207,860 | 62nd |
| 2022 | 0 | 3 | $1,152,187 | 57th |
| 2023 | 2 | 7 | $5,758,933 | 18th |
| 2024 | 0 | 5 | $3,695,683 | 35th |
| 2025 | 0 | 4 | $3,740,375 | 41st |