Day looks to ride wave at Pebble Beach

Jason Day will look to ride the wave of success along the California coastline this week and continue his charge towards world No.1.

Fresh off his win at Torrey Pines the world No.4 has travelled up the California coast to attack the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AM in Monterey where another triumph could see him rise as high as No.2.

The 27-year-old has made no secret of his desire to be world No.1 and while current top dog Rory McIlroy holds a significant buffer over the chasers at this point, Day is right on the heels of No.2 Henrik Stenson and No.3 Bubba Watson.

“It’s been a great few days after the win but it is already time to get back to work, refocus, and push myself into this week,” Day said.

“You don’t get anywhere without continued hard work and this week is another chance for me to get closer to No.1 so I’m excited for that.

“First and foremost I have to prepare for the three courses up here and hopefully put myself in with a chance on Sunday against another quality field.”

The Queenslander overtook Adam Scott as the highest ranked Australian in the world this week, the first time since March 2012 he’s held the distinction, and brings back into play a long-term goal.

Not only does Day want to reach No.1 but he is striving to become the youngest Australian to achieve the feat.

Only two Australians; Greg Norman and Scott have reached the height of golf with Norman holding the youth mark at 31 years, seven months and five days, leaving Day with a four-year window to top the mark.

Incidentally Norman and Scott never reached No.2 in their 20’s either, (plenty of Norman’s career came before world rankings were introduced in 1986) meaning Day could take the youngest No.2 title with continued results.

“It would be great to be the youngest Australian to reach the mark but at the end of the day I have to make sure I stick to my process, not get worried about those things, and let consistent good golf take care of all of it,” Day said.

“I have given myself a great start to the year and now it is about capitalising and continuing it.”

Players alternate between Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club over the opening three rounds before those who make the cut return to Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Steven Bowditch, Greg Chalmers, Scott Gardiner, Oliver Goss, Matt Jones, Rod Pampling, Cameron Percy, Cameron Smith and Nathan Green join Day in the field.

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