Aussie Jason Day finally rid the Major’s monkey from his back and created golfing history with a three shot victory in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Day, 27 withstood the meltdown conditions and a determined Jordan Spieth barrage to also win for a second time in three weeks after capturing the Canadian Open, a week after the bitter disappointment of missing The Open championship play-off by a single stroke.
The Ohio-based Day, who grew-up in rural Queensland admiring double major winning Greg Norman, posted a final round 67 and also create golfing history in winning with a 72-hole 20 under par tally and one fewer than the score equalled by Spieth in capturing this year’s Masters.
Day, who headed down the last leading by three, then broke out in tears as he became the fourth Australian to win the PGA Championship but a first in 20-years, and becomes the 17th Australian Major triumph now shared among 11 Aussies including five-time Open winner Peter Thomson.
Spieth, and looking to win three of the four majors in 2015, was second with a 68 for a 17-under tally.
And among the first to congratulate Day was good friend Rory McIroy.
“It is a huge monkey off his back given he’s had so many chances,” said McIlroy.
“He’s been knocking on the door for quite a while now including finishing second to me at Congressional four years ago, and he was close at the Masters that year, I think, as well.
“So it’s been four years of knocking on the door, knocking on the door, and if he was to get it off the line today, obviously I’d be delighted for him.
“It’s just great to see guys win their first major. I can still remember what mine was like. I didn’t have as many close calls as he had. It will feel special, and a sense of satisfaction. But there’s a few tough holes on the back nine he has to get through first.”
