Jason Day believes world golf has already seen the changing of the guard.
Speaking with the PGA ahead of The Masters, Day said the young guns are conquering on Tour and here to stay.
Previously, world golf has been dominated by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els but now it’s more common to see players like Day, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth commanding the attention.
“I heard Rory say we are changing the guard, we hear that a lot, but I think it’s already here,” said Day.
“I think we all know the young guys are here to stay and play. You look at the fields now and it seems like it’s getting younger and a lot more explosive.”
“It’s exciting times for golf really; it’s been a good year for golf thus far so I am really pumped.”
The changing of the guard will be on display at The Masters as World Number 1 Rory McIlroy aims to complete the career Major slam and Tiger Woods’ is still in doubt to tee up.
“I am actually excited for Rory to have an opportunity to do that,” added Day.
“Going through life you can sit back and say not many people have done the grand slam in Majors and won the grand slam of golf.”
“The ‘Rory Slam’ is pretty exciting but then again there is going to be a lot of attention on Rory that week.”
Day, like most golf fans, hopes Woods will be in the field next week, if only to divert the attention from the World Number 1.
“I think it would be the perfect scenario if Tiger Woods came back and took a lot of the media attention off Rory and put it on him,” added Day, who is astounded that his childhood hero has fallen out of the top-100.
“Tiger falling out of the top-100…it’s hard to believe. I was looking at golf world ranking stats and it’s just amazing for someone to be that dominant in our game.”
“The whereabouts of him right now is just unknown. It’s tough to kind of handle and grasp what’s going on in his world right now.”
“He is my idol; he was my hero growing up, for him to struggle this way is tough to see.”
Next week is game on for Day; he is determined to be the second Aussie Masters champion.
“I just want it (to win) more than I ever have in my entire career,” added Day.
“I always wanted to be the first Australian to win The Masters, Adam got there and I’m ok with being the second Australian to win.”