Jason Day has overtaken Adam Scott as the leading Australian on the world golf rankings after seizing his third US PGA Tour win at Torrey Pines, San Diego, in a three-way play-off.
The Queenslander jumped to number four in the world after he defeated defending champion Scott Stallings and Harris English on the first extra hole of the Farmers Insurance Open before ousting American J.B, Holmes at the second.
Scott is likely to sink to world No.4 as a result of Day’s triumph, which he set up with a final round 70 to be nine under for the tournament.
Day elbowed his way to a share of the lead when he rolled in a 15 metre birdie putt at the 16th hole in the final round. It was at the same hole he tapped in for a par in the play-off to claim the title.
“It sounds good to be the champion,” Day said.
“It is an amazing feeling. I just kept visualising myself holding the trophy. I’m really proud of myself.”
Day went one better this year following his runner-up finish last year. He was also ninth in 2013
As the trio headed down the 18th, the first extra hole, Day was the only player to find the fairway.
He hit a two iron short of the green and chipped to within a metre for a birdie.
Down to the Australian and Holmes, Day hit a brilliant five iron at the par three 16th while the American overshot the green and failed to get up and down for par.
Before the play-off Day hit off from the 18th with a share of the lead but miscued his second shot into rough.
His chip ran off the green and almost ended in a water hazard but he managed to get down in two for par.
English had a chance to win from a greenside trap and Holmes had a five metre birdie chance after laying up but both failed to capitalise.
Victorian Marc Leishman, who also has had three top-10 finishes at Torrey Pines – two of which were as runner-up – had a disappointing round.
Leishman started the round three off the lead but shot a four-over 76 to drop to two-under and a tie for 27th.
Queenslander John Senden (74) finished at two-over and Victorian veteran Cameron Percy struggled to a final day 78 to be three-over for the week.
By: Robert Grant