Jason Day is making his 351st PGA Tour begin at this week’s John Deere Traditional.
His first profession begin additionally got here at TPC Deere Run; that was 18 years in the past, in 2006, when an 18-year-old Day, as a newly minted professional, tied for 67th.
So, what does Day bear in mind most about that debut?
“I believe we would have stayed down on the Tremendous 8 resort someplace,” Day mentioned Wednesday throughout his pre-tournament press convention, which was moderated by Tour media official Doug Milne, who stayed in the identical resort as Day that week.
“Oh, good reminiscence,” Milne chimed in.
“I believe again then your AC unit fell out the wall,” Day added.
Milne: “I had the canine come into my room on my mattress. I actually awoke with a canine on my mattress.”
Day: “Then my caddie on the time, Colin [Swatton], you stroll into his room and it had a heart-shaped bathtub proper subsequent to the mattress. It was like high-rent stuff again then. … I walked in there [my room] and tried to shut my curtains. My curtain fell off – it broke off, and I’m like, nicely, I suppose I’m waking up at butt break of day now. Good reminiscences, man.”
Jason Day remembers the Tremendous 8 the place he stayed in 2006 for the John Deere Traditional: “My caddie on the time, Colin, you stroll into his room and it had a heart-shaped bathtub proper subsequent to the mattress. It was like excessive hire stuff again then.” pic.twitter.com/52ZLmb0Bxd
— Golfweek (@golfweek) July 3, 2024
Now 36, Day is returning to Silvis, Illinois, for his first Deere since 2011. In 5 earlier profession begins at TPC Deere Run, Day by no means missed the minimize and posted a pair of T-15 finishes.
Day fell as little as No. 175 on the earth rankings again in late 2022, however he climbed again inside the highest 20 earlier this 12 months and enters this week at No. 28, greater than ok to earn one other Olympics berth. Day bypassed his probability to compete in 2016 however is planning on competing for Australia in Paris.
“Trying again on it, I in all probability ought to have gone to Rio and performed,” Day mentioned. “I believe it’s one thing larger than your self. You’re truly representing your nation and your sport. As an Australian, the Olympics is an enormous factor as a result of we’re an enormous sporting nation.
“To get one other flip at it I really feel very grateful for it.”
Day mentioned Wednesday that he’ll play The Open at Royal Troon in Scotland after which fly again dwelling to Ohio for every week earlier than heading to Paris. He’ll then have one other week off earlier than the FedExCup Playoffs begin. He’s presently No. 28 in factors as he continues to battle for a top-50 spot and exemptions into all of subsequent 12 months’s signature occasions.
Protected to say, if you’re taking part in for $20 million purses (this week’s Deere is solely $8 million), the times of staying in Tremendous 8s are lengthy gone.
Day is staying in his RV this week together with his spouse, Ellie, and their 5 youngsters.
“I’m in my bus, yeah,” Day mentioned.
“You bought room?” Milne requested, jokingly.
Day: “I do, however you’re going to be sleeping subsequent to my youngsters.”
No stray canine at the very least.
