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 standout year came in 2015, highlighted by a PGA Championship victory and reaching world number one. He continued his success through 2016, adding The Players Championship to his achievements and maintaining his top ranking. After a period of erratic play that saw him fall outside the top 100, Day experienced a resurgence in 2023, winning the AT&T Byron Nelson, marking a return to form and the world's top 20.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

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 and immediately began playing PGA Tour events, principally through sponsors' exemptions.

July 2007: First Nationwide Tour Win

In July 2007, 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.

2008: Earned PGA Tour Card

In 2008, Jason Day finished 5th on the Nationwide Tour's money list to earn his PGA Tour card for 2008.

2009: Conditional Status for PGA Tour

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

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 PGA Championship Appearance

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: Retained PGA Tour Card

In 2010, A second-place finish at the Puerto Rico Open helped Day retain his card for 2010, and he finished 69th in the money list.

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

In June 2011, Jason Day participated at Congressional for the 2011 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 Ranking

As a result of his major performances, Day moved into the Official World Golf Ranking top-10 for the first time in his career at ninth in 2011.

2011: Second Place Finish at the Masters

In 2011, at the Masters Tournament, Jason Day tied for second with Adam Scott, 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 at the Masters

In 2013, Jason Day contended in a major once again at the Masters Tournament when he shot rounds of 70 and 68 to take a one-shot lead going to the weekend. However, 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, tying 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. The win lifted Day to fourth in the world rankings.

February 2015: Farmers Insurance Open Win

In February 2015, Day won his third PGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open, 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 September 20, 2015, Jason Day gained the world number 1 ranking for the first time as a result of the BMW Championship win.

2015: Breakout Season

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 the RBC Canadian Open and PGA Championship

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

2016: Continued Success and #1 Ranking

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

2016: Players Championship Win

Jason Day secured a wire-to-wire win at the 2016 Players Championship, marking his 10th career PGA Tour victory.

January 2017: Joined Nike Golf

On January 1, 2017, Nike announced that Day was joining Nike Golf ahead of the SBS Tournament of Champions. He will wear Nike clothes, shoes and gloves, following the brand's decision to stop making clubs and balls.

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September 2017: Split from Caddie Colin Swatton

On September 13, 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 Employed Steve Williams as Caddie

In June 2019, golf media reported Steve Williams was 'the boss' in the player-caddie relationship with Jason Day and was instructing Day on what to do.

August 2019: Day and Williams Parted Ways

After Jason Day missed the cut at The Northern Trust in August 2019, Day and Williams parted ways, citing 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, 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 by one shot, marking his first victory in five years. He also finished runner-up at the 2023 Open Championship, completing the "runner-up grand slam".