The buzz about a youthful new Rory McIlroy v Jordan Spieth rivalry in golf has fired up Jason Day.
For the first time in history golf’s No.1 and No.2 are now aged 25 or under and that’s powerful motivation for Day, even if he’s hardly starting to feel old at 27.
The Australian was as impressed as everyone else with 21-year-old Spieth’s dominant, wire-to-wire victory to claim his first major at the Masters.
“I want to be up there with him. That’s what I want to do,” said Day, whose putting let him down at Augusta National as he tied for 28th.
“To watch him play so well and to watch Rory (fourth) play great and really keep that competitive edge and results up is amazing.
“I know it’s tough to do but it is something we are all striving towards even more now.”
Spieth jumped to world No.2 with the win, behind only 25-year-old McIlroy, and it has the golfing world talking of a potential long-term rivalry, perhaps like the Tiger Woods v Phil Mickelson battles of the last decade and a half.
Day is the next best 20-something in the world, ranked No.5.
And he’s followed by plenty of others who are ready to take over from the veterans – the likes of Rickie Fowler (26, world No.13), Patrick Reed (24, world No.14), Hideki Matsuyama (23, world No.15), Billy Horschel (28, world No.19), Brooks Koepka (24, world No.20), Victor Dubuisson (24, world No.22) and Chris Kirk (29, world No.24) – all inside the top 25 prior to their 30th birthday.
“Our generation is strong. It has taken over now,” Day said.
“Hopefully we can all continue to play well for many years to come and win lots of big tournaments.
“I’m already excited about my next start coming up in New Orleans next week.”
While Spieth has committed to returning to Australia in November to defend his Australian Open crown, fans might need to wait a little longer to see Day play back home with his end of year schedule now in flux thanks to some joyful family news.
The Queenslander has announced wife Ellie is expecting their second child on November 12.
A staunch family man, Day missed the British Open in 2013 to be at son Dash’s birth and will once again place all focus on his loved ones.
