Defending Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Jason Day says he will not forget the time he shared with Arnold Palmer following his win at Bay Hill last year.
PREVIEW: Arnold Palmer Invitational
‘To be able to win last year and have that celebratory drink with him and being the last person to be able to do that is a special honor,’ said Day.
‘Obviously, it was sad to see him pass last year and I think what they did today with the ceremony, I think they did a tremendous job out there remembering and not only as a golfer and what he did on the golf course, but he what he did to many individuals that he’s touched around not only this area but around the United States and around the world as well.’
Honouring Arnold ?️ https://t.co/qeOjPnVTO4
— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) March 15, 2017
The Australian was delighted to win, what turned out to be the last event with Palmer present, because he was aware that the ‘The King’ was in poor health.
‘The Arnold Palmer Invitational is always one of those events that you want to win and to have on your resume when you finish up playing golf. And you’re right, we didn’t know how long, I mean there was always, there’s rumors going about that his health wasn’t that great, but to be able to have that opportunity and be able to close the way I did, even though I did have an up-and-down weekend, and the way it closed and how it unfolded on Sunday, with the bunker shot on the last hole, and once again him sitting there watching, that was neat stuff.
‘Because I never got the chance to meet Mr. Nelson, I played the Byron Nelson a lot of times, but I never had the opportunity to meet him and I had the opportunity or a special opportunity to meet Mr. Palmer. And stuff like that you just don’t forget. So, to be able to close the way I did was great.’
Day admits that he hasn’t had the best start to the 2017 season with The Masters rapidly approaching.
‘I’m a couple tournaments out, I haven’t got off to the greatest start, I got to play four times. This is my fifth this year. So, it’s coming fast around the corner, but once again, I feel like I usually gear up pretty well for Augusta and the Major Championships.
‘But right now I’m really trying to focus on trying to defend here and play well here. But the game itself is, it’s got off to a bit of a slow start, but I’m hoping that I can have kind of a Rory finish like he did last year and put myself into contention for the FedExCup, but also play well in the Majors as well.’
Despite a slow start, Day feels positive about his chances at Bay Hill based on his previous experiences.
‘So, I just always, you always got to stay positive, even though I haven’t got off to a great start, stay positive, keep moving forward and forget about everything else,’ says Day.
A slow start, coupled by two bad weeks starting this week and then the WGC-Dell Matchplay will matter for little if Day wins at Augusta in April.
‘I got to go out there and just kind of get in my own little world and forget about everything else. Forget about all the stuff in the past and what people are going to think if you don’t play well, because one week can really change and if I play poorly over the next two weeks and then win Augusta, the first part of the year’s forgotten and you’re the Masters champion.’
Day has also revealed that he will in all likelihood skip Wednesday’s par 3 contest at August in an effort to stay fresh ahead of the first major.
‘I think sometimes I kind of out work myself too much. I get too tired and then I get to the tournament and I’m just like, I’m just have done too much to prepare. And some years where I just feel like I prepared correctly.
‘I think I’m going to come in probably a day later this year, play a practice round Saturday and then kind of practice Sunday and then just get slowly get into it. I don’t think I’ll play the par-3 tournament this year. Just I want to make sure that I’m ready for the tournament and hopefully I’ve got enough energy by then.’
