Jason Day's ascent to greatness could take another big leap when he resumes at the BMW Championship just 40 metres from joining one of golf's most exclusive clubs.
How's this for TOUR sauce? http://t.co/KKcUXhJAGf— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
September 17, 2015
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Day flew through his first round in Illinois, posting an eagle and nine birdies through the first 17 holes on the par-71 course. Then, chasing a fabled 59 round, the Australian smacked a 316 metre tee shot on the final hole before bad weather caused a halt to play.
JDay on his game right now: "It feels like a practice round. Like even if you hit a bad shot, it's going to be OK. It's hard to explain."— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
September 17, 2015
Day will go to sleep knowing that when he takes to the course the next morning, a neat wedge shot could align him with the select few to have shot 59.
Six men have achieved the feat on the PGA Tour, including David Duval, Stuart Appleby and Jim Furyk. Annika Sorenstam in 2001 became the only woman to have achieved the mark, at an LPGA tournament in Arizona. Ryo Ishikawa once hit a 58 on the Japan Golf Tour.
Record breaker: Annika Sorenstam remains the only woman to shoot a 59. Photo: AP
Day admitted afterwards - with a four shot lead over second-placed Daniel Berger - that he didn't even realise he was closing in on the mark until told by world No.2 Jordan Spieth, who scored a highlight of his own with a hole in one.
"To be honest, I thought it was par-72, so I'm sitting there going, 10-under, there's no chance at all I can get it," Day said.
"I probably should have known that because there's three par-5s, but I wasn't paying attention. I didn't think I'd have an opportunity of shooting 59. Yeah, that's kind of when he told me. He was keeping count for me."
Day has won three of his past five tournaments, including his first major, and is on course to grab the world No.1 ranking. His previous lowest score on the PGA Tour is 62, which he achieved three times this year.
Jason Day: "I'm walking through the locker room now and guys are asking me if I'm playing the ladies' tees."— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
September 17, 2015