Jason Day – file photo USGA
Jason Day, one of two Australians in the opening event of the 2024 PGA Tour season, The Sentry, lost ground with his second round of 69 on the par 73 layout at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii but he remains within striking distance of leader Scottie Scheffler at the halfway stage.
Day, whose opening round of 65 on day one had him just one off the lead, now finds himself in share of 15th place but just four shots from Scheffler’s lead after the current world number one added a second round 64 to lead by one over Tyrell Hatton, Brendon Todd and Sungjae Im.
Day’s only blemish on day two was when failing to reach the green from the rough at the relatively short par 4 13th hole but he soon recovered with birdies at the 14th and 15th although he failed to find the green with his seocnd at the very reachable 18th and was unable to make birdie on one of the easiest holes on the layout.
Day is playing the event or its equivalent for the for the first occasion since 2019, the 36 year old in the field courtesy of his win in Dallas last year and his standing on last season’s FedEx Cup points table. He has a previous best of 3rd in this event in 2015.
Day, who appears back in good health and playing well again, said on Thursday how delighted he is to be in the field and just playing the event.
“Yeah, it’s a good way to start the year. I just can’t help but feel thankful to be able to play this game, and be here healthy and enjoying golf, which is a good thing. I still want to compete and play well and try and win this tournament. So, three more days to go, but I feel very lucky to be here.”
Day was asked when he last felt as healthy as he does now.
“Going back probably before 2015. So, it’s quite a long time. I still get hiccups every now and then still. For the most part, yeah, through my No. 1 years, I was in a lot of pain, but kind of just, I did — I sucked it up and just pushed through the pain. Which was, like, great, but it was, like, very short. So, hopefully, this time getting back there I can stay there for a lot longer than what I did.”
Cam Davis is the other Australian in the 59 player field but he is languishing back in 57th place despite a second round of 69 himself.
