An Australian victory surge on this year’s PGA Tour can be attributed to Adam Scott’s Masters winning ways declared Jason Day.

Four of the past seven PGA Tour events have been won by Australian-born players starting with Day’s dramatic WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship victory in Arizona.

John Senden then captured a second Tour title in winning the inaugural Valspar Championship and while Scott should have closed out the Arnold Palmer Invitational the Australian flag was flying high in the Alamo City when Steven Bowditch broke through for a maiden Tour in the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better Sydneysider Matt Jones pulled off two miracle shots to deny American Matt Kuchar in a play-off to win the Shell Houston Open.

Day, who is returning to competition for a first time since winning the Match-Play Championship was asked what he attributed the rise in ‘Down Under’ players on this year’s PGA Tour.

John Senden becomes the second of four Australian-born winners on the PGA Tour this year.

“It’s surprising to see Australia kicking it up and it just shows that Australian golf is in a good spot now with Matt Jones winning, and the last two PGA Tour events, Australians have won,” he said.

“Going back last year after Scotty won, it was very inspiring for I think a lot of golfers that are on the Tour to kind of kick their game up another level. 

“Because I remember back in the day when I would hear a story about Adam Scott playing when I was a junior, and just hearing the stories about him playing in the same events as me; knowing that he is a person that I’ve known in the past and if he can do it, I can do it, as well, and I think a lot of the Australians are doing that exact same thing and having that exact same mental approach to the tournaments that they are playing recently.

“It’s not surprising to see Steve play well in a windy kind of place, because his short game, everyone saw how good his short game was.  And then Matt Jones, exactly the same thing, played great, phenomenal chip‑in and I’m definitely excited to see how the guys go this week.

“I think it sets up well for an Australian to play well.  I know Scotty has said that in the past; that Augusta does set up well for an Australian.  Those guys should have a good shot at competing this week.”

But then it’s not just this season Australian golfers have ridden Scott’s Augusta victory wave.

Here is some of the victories around globe in the 12 months since Scott’s Masters breakthrough.

European Tour –

• Brett Rumford – Ballantine’s Championship; Volvo China Open

Asian Tour –

• Scott Hend – Chiangmai Golf Classic;  Taiwan Open, Macau Open
• Wade Ormsby – India Open

World Golf Federation WGCs –

• Adam Scott/Jason Day – World Cup of Golf Team victory
• Jason Day – World Cup of Golf – Individual honors.

Day then revealed, and much to the amusement of the green jacket press officer sitting beside him, how he had found out Jones had won in Houston, given Day was out on Augusta National practicing Sunday afternoon.

“I found out through Jordan Spieth what happened because, I mean, we can’t have cell phones here, so a normal tournament, you would be looking at your phone (laughter), and respecting the rule, got to make sure that I’m not caught with a phone,” said Day.

“I found out on the putting green, and as I walked back into the caddie hut, they have it on the TV there, but I just saw it on the replays last night.  That’s stuff you dream about, really.

“To be able to birdie the 18th hole in regulation with a couple of shots there that may have gone into the water but stayed up and he made birdie.  But to chip‑in in a playoff is ‑‑ you sit there as a kid and you’re chipping and you always say certain things:  You know, this is for the Shell Houston Open or Augusta National, the Masters.  It’s the stuff you dream of.

“And it was good to see Matt win, because I know he’s had a few up‑and‑down years, but it seems that he’s doing the work and he’s doing the right things and it’s been working out for him.

“I’ve known Matt since the Web.com and since I came over to the States.  Always been a great bloke to me.  I’m glad to see him on top.”