Day survives horror show at Players
Print Edition
JASON Day saw The Players Championship at its easiest and toughest, all in the span of nine hours on Saturday on what felt like two golf courses.
He set a record when it felt like a shootout. He was even stronger when the TPC Sawgrass turned into a battle for survival.
And when a long, wild and utterly exhausting day was finally over, the world’s No. 1 player could take solace that he still had a four-shot lead.
“I want to say this was the toughest day I’ve ever had to play in my life,” Day said after gutting out a 1-over 73 going into the final round. “I want to win this tournament so bad. But right now, I’m just trying to focus on trying to play well tomorrow. I mean, that’s all you could do is just try to survive.”
Day finished his storm-delayed second round with a 66 to set the 36-hole record at 15-under 199, and it appeared he would take aim at more records. And then it all changed.
The PGA Tour rolled the greens one more time. The wind picked up. The air dried out. The sun baked out the course.
Suddenly, the greens were like putting on glass.
Day four-putted from 18 feet for a double bogey. He made another double bogey two holes later. But right when it looked like he would fall victim to the fierce conditions, the 28-year-old Australian played the final 10 holes with three birdies and seven pars to reach 14-under 202 and keep his big lead.
It wasn’t unplayable for everyone. Ken Duke in the round of a lifetime made six birdies over his last seven holes for a 65, which was more than 10 shots better than the average score. He was tied for second with Hideki Matsuyama, who made seven birdies in his round of 67.
Joining them at 10-under 206 was Alex Cejka, who shot a 72 that felt much lower.
Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson and defending champion Rickie Fowler all missed the cut when the storm-delayed second round was completed Saturday morning. If there was a consolation, it was not having to take on Sawgrass and its scariest.
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