The Australian golf community has a new major hero after Jason Day’s record-breaking victory in today’s US PGA Championship.
And in the 27-year-old, Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt says we could barely have a better role model for the sport in the country.
Day fired rounds of 68-67-66-67 to finish 20 under and establish a record for lowest score to par in major championship history.
“What more can you say than that?” Pitt said.
“He’s played almost flawless golf for four days and couldn’t be a more deserving champion.
“Jason has been knocking on the door for a few years and has never lost sight of his goals to reach this moment.
“And it’s a huge testament to all those involved in his life – his family, his junior coaches and everyone else who has helped him become not only a great golfer, but a really good bloke, too.”
Pitt paid tribute to those at Golf Queensland and The Kooralbyn International School who put Day on the track to become the nation’s fifth PGA champion.
He also said it capped a superb major championship season for Australia.
“It’s great to get over the line in one, but if you look back, it’s been a great year for Australian men’s golf, throughout the majors,” Pitt said.
“Jason was close at the US Open throughout, then to have Cam Smith charge home along with Adam Scott and a host of others prominent, that was phenomenal.
“Then with Marc Leishman getting to a playoff at The Open Championship and again have Jason and Adam so close, too.
“It really has been extraordinary and great testament to the direction the game’s taking in Australia.
“And that’s just the majors – we shouldn’t forget the wins of our other men and women on the tours of the world, nor the continually impressive feats of our amateurs.
“It really is an exciting time for golf in Australia.”