Big day for Australian golfer Jason Day as British Open runner-up
afr.comJason Day could not quite make it Jason’s day at the British Open – but the rejuvenated Australian golf superstar was still left thrilled after joining a host of legends with his near-miss at Royal Liverpool.
The Queenslander could not hide his delight and pride at again being back in a major dust-up as he finished in a four-way tie for the runner’s-up spot at rain-sodden Hoylake on Sunday.
Jason Day in the rain. He now matches a host of luminaries as just the ninth player in the game’s history to be a runner-up at all four majors. Reuters
But while American Brian Harman was running away with the Claret Jug in the driving rain, winning by six strokes, the 35-year-old Day was left with the not insubstantial consolation of joining an elite club.
For by finishing runner-up, he now matches a host of luminaries – Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, Louis Oosthuizen, Craig Wood and Dustin Johnson – as just the ninth player in the game’s history to be a runner-up at all four majors.
As well, of course, as winning one.
And though he never looked like adding to his 2015 PGA title as Harman dominated, his battle for second place with Korean Tom Kim, Austrian Sepp Straka and Spain’s Jon Rahm – one which ultimately ended all square at seven under – there was widespread delight at the popular figure rediscovering the form that once made him world No.1.
“I am happy” said Day, also runner-up at the Masters and US Open in 2011 and the PGA in 2016.
Brian Harman celebrates on the 18th green after winning the British Open. AP
“Considering my play over the last month and a bit hasn’t been that great, and I didn’t have the greatest confidence coming into this week, to be able to finish tied second was nice.
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