Jason Day takes PGA Championship, first to win major at 20 under par
Jason Day got his first career major championship win with a record setting 20-under performance at the 2015 PGA Championship.
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Jason Day won his first career major title in what was an absolutely unbelievable performance at the 2015 PGA Championship. Day became the first player in history to finish 20 under, breaking the record set by Tiger Woods in 2000 at the British Open (-19).
Day is now the 11th Australian golfer to win a major championship and the first since Adam Scott at the Masters in 2013. He is just the fifth-ever Australian to win the PGA Championship.
Day had no problems taming Whistling Straits and shot rounds in the 60s all four days, culminating in a final round 67.
In that final round, Day not only had to deal with windier conditions and tougher pins, but he also had to stare down Jordan Spieth in the process. Day took that challenge head on, making birdie at No. 2 and never looking back. Day went out in 3-under 33 and held a fairly comfortable two shot cushion over the rest of the field all afternoon.
Day's only blemish on the card on the back nine came on No. 15, but he bounced back immediately with a birdie on No. 16 and two solid pars on the final two holes to seal a record-breaking victory.
Even Day was impressed with his own performance on Sunday.
"To be able to play the way I did and finish the way I did, it's just amazing," said a clearly emotional Day at the trophy presentation. "I'm really pleased with how I played. I couldn't ask for anything better."
Naturally, this performance is going to be compared to Tiger Woods in 2000 at St. Andrews because it broke the record from that week. Both players eviscerated the courses they were playing -- both are difficult tests -- but the manner in which they did was different.
Tiger overpowered St. Andrews that week. He dismantled it, and you were keenly aware that he doing it -- partly because he let you know it was happening with every club twirl and fist pump. Woods took the lead on Friday and ran away with it, winning by eight strokes. You knew you were watching something historic, but the only question on Sunday was, how historic would it be?
Day's performance didn't have the same dominant feel as Woods at the Open in 2000, simply because the rest of the field performed so much better. Day was there at the top of the leaderboard from the start but never ran away from the pack -- not for a lack of effort -- and there was always just a bit of lingering doubt that he would win.
Day maintained at least a two-stroke lead Sunday but never had more than a four shot advantage. Playing with Jordan Spieth -- who by the way took over the No. 1 ranking -- ensured there was always a possibility that Day might not get it done. Everyone watching -- even the most faithful Day supporters -- knew one slip-up and one Spieth charge like he made Saturday, when he shot 30 on the back, would lead to heartbreak again for the Australian.
Instead, Day pressed on, hitting tremendous golf shots and staring down the world's top player in the process. He all but sealed his victory with his approach on No. 16, setting up a two-putt birdie. And on the final hole -- the toughest hole on the course all week -- he blistered a drive and calmly hit the center of the green to set up a two-putt par.
Day's dominance was on the level of Woods' at St. Andrews in 2000, but Day made his assault on history with a stealth mission. Woods went with the smash and grab, not worrying about setting off alarms.
In case the 20-under score wasn't enough evidence of his dominance this week, Day was the best in the field at putting inside 10 feet (60-of-62) and best in the field in strokes gained from tee to green. Dominant is the only word for Day's performance, as he led on the scoreboard and in every aspect of the game.
Day previously had six top-five finishes at majors in his career, including a heartbreaking performance at this year's British Open. Now, thanks to his incredible performance this week, he can put all of the close calls and disappointing finishes behind him and know that he is the 2015 PGA Championship winner.
Day's week at Whistling Straits didn't have quite the feel of Woods at St. Andrews, but it absolutely belongs in the same class when discussing the all-time dominant performances at a major.
