The only criticism of Jason Day’s golf game is that he doesn’t perform under the gun enough but he’ll have the chance to prove otherwise early on the final day at the Presidents Cup.
As the second highest-ranked golfer on the International team and as a member at Cup venue Muirfield Village, Day was expected to be a shining light in Nick Price’s team against the Americans.
Paired with Canadian Graham DeLaet in every session the 25-year-old Australian started the right way on Thursday, draining a 20-foot putt on the 18th green to win his first match.
But the duo were then humbled by a blitzkrieg from Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in alternate shot, losing 4 and 3 on Friday.
As the only International team to pull their weight in the Saturday morning four-ball session, with a 2-up win over Steve Stricker and Jordan Spieth, Day claimed some redemption.
But now, with his team in trouble and his incomplete foursomes rematch with Mickelson and Bradley becoming vital, Day needs to step up.
The International duo led 3 up after seven holes but by the 13th had bled back to all-square.
With the outright score sitting at 11.5 to 6.5 to the US, Day needs to find a way to win to keep dreams of a Cup upset alive.
“I’m excited to be in this position,” Day said.
“I’m really looking forward to finishing off the match tomorrow. I know it’s going to be tough.”
On debut in the competition at Royal Melbourne in 2011, Day went 1-3-1 and felt he tried too hard to impress on home soil.
Given he now lives just down the road from Muirfield Village with his Ohio native wife and child, he faces a similar mental hurdle.
“Two years ago, I did try a little too hard, but I think the biggest thing for me is to communicate with my caddie,” he said.
“I think communication out there is a big key, making sure that I’m 100 per cent committed to the exact shot I need to hit out there.
“Then once I’m comfortable, I need to just go and try and execute the shot. It is imperative I am comfortable tomorrow.”
If Day can clear the first hurdle on Sunday morning he has made no secret of his desire to match up against Tiger Woods in the singles contests that conclude the Presidents Cup on Sunday.
