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Jason Day struggled during his opening round at the PGA Championship, finishing the day in a tie for 127th place. Less than a week after winning the Byron Nelson in Texas, the golfer shot six-over on Thursday.
Day entered at a disadvantage having missed his practice rounds. He cited exhaustion and fatigue as his reasoning for skipping out on the pre-tournament training.
Judging by that Day 1 performance, it might’s been worthwhile to at least give it a walk through.
Many in the field complained about the conditions at Oak Hill, most notably Justing Thomas who said, “I mean it’s Rochester, New York. I think it was snowing here like three weeks ago.”
To Thomas’s credit, temperatures have been sub-40 throughout the practice rounds. When the opening group teed off at 7am Thursday morning, it was 34 degrees.
Jason Day didn’t get a chance to test out those course conditions or get acclimated to playing in the chilly temps. He was asked about his sitting out the practice rounds prior to the tournament’s start.
“No matter how well I prepare, even if I go out and play a practice round, if I come in tomorrow tired and exhausted, it won’t do me any favors… I haven’t seen the course and I most likely won’t see the course today… it’s not the first time that I haven’t played a practice round before a major.”
In hindsight, it might’ve helped a little…
Day failed to record a single birdie on the day while racking up four bogeys and a double bogey over his first 18 holes. Many fans online immediately went back to that practice round decision.
Jason Day shoots a six-over 76 five days after winning the Bryon Nelson. A quick look around Oak Hill might have been worthwhile after all…
— Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) May 18, 2023
Jason Day should’ve played a practice round @ForePlayPod
— Colt Knost Reply Bot (@JosephWesty79) May 18, 2023
Just ask Jason Day how beneficial it is to not see the course before a major.
— Waller (@tommywaller69) May 18, 2023
For anyone that bet on Day to take home another tournament win, our condolences.
It sure would have been nice to know Jason Day decided not to play one practice hole before I placed a top 20 bet on him. He deserves that 5 over today.
— Jordan Gossett (@gossett55) May 18, 2023
We’ll see if he’s able to regroup and get back in the hunt on Day 2.