An ill Jason Day unbelievably putted a ball into the water, and took three putts from three feet on another hole, during a horror stretch as Australia’s charge at the US Masters fell flat on the final day.
Day, who was in contention late in the second round, signed for four double bogeys within five holes on the final day as the country’s wait for a second green jacket lingers for another year.
World No.35 Day (five over), who secured an invite to Augusta National just weeks ago after leaping into the world’s top 50, had a day to forget as he carded an eight-over 80 in his fourth round on Monday morning (AEST).
It started with a four-putt double bogey on the ninth hole, which included three putts from three feet after lagging an incredible birdie try, and included the bizarre sight of him putting from the fringe of the 12th green into the water as he took a stance in a bunker.
He also took penalties on the 10th and 13th holes after hooking drives left. It was a deflating end to a tournament which promised so much when he surged close to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday morning (AEST). He started the tournament without a bogey after 25 straight holes.
Day was believed to be suffering health issues at the end of his round and declined to speak to reporters.
Jason Day putts into water at the US Masters.Credit: US Masters
His meltdown left top Australian honours to a disappointed world No.6 Cameron Smith (four over), who fired a final round three-over 75 before he returns home for LIV Golf’s first Australian event in Adelaide on Friday week.
The British Open champion had a lucky break when a ball hit a rock in Rae’s Creek and bounced back into play on the 13th hole in his final round, but he couldn’t muster any momentum after being caught in the wrong wave of players with treacherous conditions for his second and third rounds.
Asked about plans to have more than one LIV event in Australia each year, Smith said: “Absolutely [I would support it]. That was kind of one of the reasons I went over, to spend more time there and to play more golf there would be even better.
“I’ve got a little bit of work to do, and I wouldn’t mind getting to a Broncos game and there will be a little bit of catch-ups, but there’s some work [too] because I wasn’t really happy with how this week went. It usually makes you work harder and hopefully there’s some good stuff to come.”
Adam Scott battled to a two-over 74 in his final round after returning to Augusta National to finish the final five holes of his third round with Smith on Sunday night (AEST). His second hole of the day, the 15th, included him dunking two balls into the water en route to a triple-bogey eight.
“It’s not the first time that’s happened for anybody at the Masters,” said Scott, 10 years on from his historic Masters win.
“The game is solid but I’m not putting four days together any week, not just this week. I need to figure out how to have that run.
“I must have played 20 or 21 holes in horrific conditions and Brooks [Koepka] played six. It’s a huge difference. But that’s how it goes. It all evens out, I’ve had some good breaks and my share of bad ones too. Hopefully I can stay out here as long as Fred Couples and [Phil] Mickelson and you never know.”
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