World number one Jason Day coasted to The Players Championship title on Sunday, winning by four shots at TPC Sawgrass. His final-round 71, although appearing unspectacular, was all that was needed as others struggled on the tricky greens. The 28-year-old wrapped up the tournament on 15-under-par, four shots clear of runner-up Kevin Chappell.
Low scoring was the norm in the first two rounds, but the weekend brought a drastic change in how the course played, thanks the quickening up of the greens. This proved an extremely tough obstacle for the world’s top players and many struggled to break par.
Day faltered on Saturday and his Sunday start was unflattering as well. While the new FedEx Cup top dog had a comfortable lead that allowed for a few slip ups, his front nine yielded no birdies and included dropped shots at the sixth and ninth. Making the turn, Day had a two shot lead only, with the likes of Chappell and journeyman Ken Duke sniffing an opportunity for an unlikely victory.
‘It was tough. I know that it was easy to lose a little bit of focus on the front side, especially with a four-shot lead, and then I just kept on telling myself, just keep yourself in it and give yourself opportunities on the back side, and I played really solid golf on the back side’ said Day.
The best player in the world showed why he is just that and won in wire-to-wire fashion for the second time in a season, becoming the only player to achieve the feat since Tiger Woods in 2002.
‘It’s such a big accomplishment for me in my career. To be able to finally win as number one in the world and then to go wire-to-wire was very special’ A jubilant Day said.
