Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jason Day

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jason Day made an impact.

Jason Day is an Australian professional golfer who achieved early success on the PGA Tour, highlighted by his victory at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. His breakout year came in 2015, marked by five wins, including the PGA Championship, and ascending to world #1. He continued his strong performance into 2016, winning The Players Championship, but his form subsequently declined. In 2023, Day experienced a resurgence, winning the AT&T Byron Nelson and re-entering the top 20 in the world rankings, marking a significant comeback.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2000: Australian Masters junior event win

At the age of 13, Jason Day had his first big win in 2000 at an Australian Masters junior event on the Gold Coast, where he won with scores of 87, 78, 76 and 76.

2004: Amateur Achievements

In 2004, Jason Day won the Australian Boys' Amateur and the Boys 15–17 division at the Callaway World Junior Championship.

2005: Lost in Playoff

In 2005, Jason Day lost in a playoff at the Greater Building Society QLD PGA Championship, a professional event on the Von Nida Tour. He was beaten by Scott Gardiner on the fourth extra hole.

2005: Runner-up in Porter Cup

In 2005, Jason Day was runner-up in the Porter Cup as an amateur, adding to his amateur success in the United States.

July 2006: Turns Professional

In July 2006, Jason Day turned professional after winning the Green Jacket at the NEC Master of the Amateurs, signing with TaylorMade and Adidas. He immediately began playing PGA Tour events.

July 2007: First Nationwide Tour Win

In July 2007, Jason Day won his first Nationwide Tour event at the Legend Financial Group Classic, becoming the youngest man to win on any of the PGA Tour's three tours.

2007: Failed to earn PGA Tour card

In 2007, Jason Day failed to earn his PGA Tour card, but earned conditional status on the Nationwide Tour.

2008: Earned PGA Tour card

In 2008, Jason Day finished 5th on the Nationwide Tour's money list to earn his PGA Tour card. He had a mediocre season, but had conditional status for 2009.

2009: Retained PGA Tour Card

In 2009, a second-place finish at the Puerto Rico Open helped Jason Day retain his card for 2010.

May 2010: HP Byron Nelson Championship Win

In May 2010, Jason Day became the youngest Australian to win a PGA Tour event, winning the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

August 2010: First Top-10 in a Major

In August 2010, Jason Day made his first appearance at the PGA Championship, where a 66 on Saturday helped him to finish seven-under-par for the tournament and earn his first top-10 in a major.

2010: Finished 69th in the money list

In 2010, Jason Day finished 69th in the money list.

June 2011: Second Place at the U.S. Open

In June 2011, Jason Day participated at Congressional for the U.S. Open, his maiden appearance in a U.S. Open. He finished alone in second, some eight strokes behind runaway leader Rory McIlroy.

2011: Top-10 World Golf Ranking

As a result of his major performances in 2011, Day moved into the Official World Golf Ranking top-10 for the first time in his career at ninth. Day ended the season ranked 9th on the PGA Tour money list.

2011: Second place at the Masters Tournament

In 2011, at the Masters Tournament, Jason Day tied for second with Adam Scott, two strokes short of eventual winner Charl Schwartzel. Day set the Masters record for the lowest score by a first-time participant at −12.

2013: Third Place at the Masters Tournament

In 2013, Day contended in a major at the Masters Tournament when he shot rounds of 70 and 68 to take a one-shot lead. He finished two shots back in third place behind Adam Scott, and Cabrera.

2013: Runner-up at U.S. Open

In 2013, Jason Day finished as a runner-up for the third time in a major championship at the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club. He finished in a tie for second alongside Phil Mickelson, two strokes behind Justin Rose.

February 2014: WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Win

In February 2014, Jason Day won his first World Golf Championship event, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, after defeating Victor Dubuisson in extra holes. The win lifted Day to fourth in the world rankings.

February 2015: Farmers Insurance Open Win

In February 2015, Jason Day won the Farmers Insurance Open, his third PGA Tour event and seventh title as a pro, after prevailing in a four-way playoff. This victory lifted Day back to fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking.

September 2015: World Number 1 Ranking

On 20 September 2015, Jason Day gained the world number 1 ranking for the first time as a result of his BMW Championship win. He entered the Tour Championship as the FedEx Cup leader, but finished tied for tenth.

2015: U.S. Open Vertigo Incident

During the second round of the 2015 U.S. Open, Day collapsed on his 18th hole due to vertigo. Despite this, he ended the third round tied for the lead and ultimately finished tied for 9th. At the 2015 Open Championship at St Andrews, Day finished at 14-under-par and one stroke outside of the 3-way playoff.

2015: Breakout Season

In 2015, Jason Day had his breakout season, winning five events including the PGA Championship, a major championship, and ascending to #1 in the world.

2015: RBC Canadian Open and PGA Championship Wins

In 2015, Jason Day won the RBC Canadian Open and the PGA Championship. At the PGA Championship he set a new record, becoming the first player in history to finish at 20-under-par in a major.

July 2016: PGA Tour Earnings

As of July 2016, Jason Day has earned over $33 million in prize money on the PGA Tour.

2016: The Players Championship Victory

In 2016, Jason Day achieved a 4-stroke, wire-to-wire win at The Players Championship for his 10th career PGA Tour victory. His run of form was compared to that of Tiger Woods.

2016: Continued Success and #1 Ranking

In 2016, Jason Day continued his exemplary play, winning three tournaments including The Players Championship and preserving his #1 ranking.

January 2017: Nike Sponsorship

On 1 January 2017, Nike announced that Jason Day was joining Nike Golf ahead of the SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua. He will wear Nike clothes, shoes and gloves. His sponsorship contract with RBC was not renewed.

September 2017: Split from Caddie

On 13 September 2017, after a winless season, Jason Day split from his caddie of 11 years, Colin Swatton. Swatton would remain as his swing coach.

June 2019: Day being caddied by Steve Williams

In June 2019, following the U.S. Open, Jason Day was being caddied by Tiger Woods' former caddie, Steve Williams. It was reported that Williams was the dominant figure in the relationship, dictating Day's actions and practice routines.

August 2019: Day and Williams part ways

In August 2019, after Day missed the cut at The Northern Trust, Jason Day and Steve Williams ended their caddie relationship. The reason cited was a 'disconnect between old school and new school' approaches.

October 2019: Day wins The Challenge: Japan Skins

On 21 October 2019, Jason Day won The Challenge: Japan Skins, defeating Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Hideki Matsuyama.

May 2023: Day wins AT&T Byron Nelson

In May 2023, Jason Day won the AT&T Byron Nelson tournament by one shot. This victory marked his first in five years. He also finished as runner-up at the 2023 Open Championship, which meant he completed the "runner-up grand slam".