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, winning the HP Byron Nelson Championship in his third season. His breakout year came in 2015 when he won five events, including the PGA Championship, and reached world #1. He continued his strong play through 2016, winning The Players Championship and retaining his top ranking. After a period of inconsistent performance, Day experienced a resurgence in 2023, winning the AT&T Byron Nelson and returning to the world's top 20.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2000: First big win at Australian Masters junior event

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

2004: Australian Boys' Amateur win and Callaway World Junior Championship

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 at Greater Building Society QLD PGA Championship

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 at Porter Cup

In 2005, Jason Day was runner-up in the Porter Cup as an amateur.

July 2006: Turned 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. This win propelled him to eighth on the Nationwide Tour's money list.

2007: Failed to earn PGA Tour card

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

2008: Conditional Status for 2009

In 2008, Jason Day had a mediocre season but maintained conditional status for 2009.

2009: Retained Card for 2010

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

May 2010: Won HP Byron Nelson Championship

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

August 2010: First PGA Championship Appearance

In August 2010, Jason Day made his first appearance at the PGA Championship, finishing seven-under-par for the tournament and earning his first top-10 finish in a major.

2010: Finished 69th in the Money List

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

June 2011: Second-place finish at the U.S. Open

In June 2011, Jason Day participated in his maiden U.S. Open at Congressional, finishing alone in second place, eight strokes behind Rory McIlroy. Day shot the equal lowest round of the week on Saturday with a 65.

2011: Moved into Top-10 of Official World Golf Ranking

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

2011: Tied for second at the Masters Tournament

At the 2011 Masters Tournament, Jason Day tied for second with Adam Scott, finishing two strokes behind the winner, Charl Schwartzel. Day set the Masters record for the lowest score by a first-time participant at -12.

2013: Third Place Finish at the Masters Tournament

During the 2013 Masters Tournament, Jason Day contended and finished in third place, two shots behind Adam Scott and Cabrera after bogeying the last two holes of the third round and struggling at the end of the final round.

2013: Runner-up at the 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, tying for second with Phil Mickelson, two strokes behind Justin Rose. He also tied for the lowest cumulative score in all four majors with Adam Scott.

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, securing victory after extra holes with Victor Dubuisson. This 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. The victory lifted Day back to fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking.

September 2015: Gained World Number 1 Ranking

On 20 September 2015, Jason Day gained the world number 1 ranking for the first time after wins in The Barclays and the BMW Championship. He entered the Tour Championship as the FedEx Cup leader, but finished tied for tenth.

2015: Breakout season for Jason Day

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

2015: Wins RBC Canadian Open and PGA Championship

In 2015, Jason Day won the RBC Canadian Open. Later in the year, Day won the PGA Championship, setting a new record as the first player in history to finish at 20-under-par in a major.

July 2016: Earnings on the PGA Tour

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

2016: Continued success and maintaining the #1 ranking

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

2016: Won The Players Championship

In 2016, Jason Day secured a 4-stroke, wire-to-wire win at The Players Championship for his 10th career PGA Tour victory, leading to comparisons to Tiger Woods.

January 2017: Joined Nike Golf

On 1 January 2017, Nike announced that Jason Day was joining Nike Golf. He would wear Nike clothes, shoes and gloves. The sponsorship deal was reported to be worth $10 million a year.

September 2017: Split with Caddie Colin Swatton

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

June 2019: Day being caddied by Steve Williams

In June 2019, it was reported that Steve Williams, Tiger Woods' former caddie and now Jason Day's caddie, was the dominant figure in their player-caddie relationship, dictating Day's actions and Day acknowledged that he mostly followed Williams' directions.

August 2019: Day and Williams part ways

In August 2019, after Jason Day missed the cut at The Northern Trust, he and his caddie, Steve Williams, ended their partnership due to differing perspectives, described as a 'disconnect between old school and new school'.

October 2019: Day wins The Challenge: Japan Skins

On 21 October 2019, Jason Day won The Challenge: Japan Skins tournament, defeating competitors 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, marking his first victory in five years. He also achieved a runner-up finish at the 2023 Open Championship, completing a "runner-up grand slam".