Day's time finally arises
IRVING, Texas — Jason Day was once hailed as the Tiger Woods of Australia, a kid who was going to tear up the PGA Tour.
It hasn't exactly worked out that way. While he's only 22, the wait for his breakthrough first victory that came Sunday at the Byron Nelson Championship was so excruciating that he considered finding a new line of work.
So, take it from him, what 16-year-old Jordan Spieth did at this tournament was "unreal."
"He looks like he's got all the game in the world," Day said.
Spieth was within three strokes of the lead on the final nine holes Sunday, then drifted back into a tie for 16th. It's still an incredible finish for a kid who last week was playing in the state high school tournament.
While Spieth likely will be remembered as the big winner of this week, Day's name will go up on the champion's wall behind the oversized statue of Nelson near the first tee.
"It's been a hard, tough road," said Day, already in the record books as the youngest winner on the Nationwide Tour, at 19. "I'm glad I just stuck through it."
He's glad he stuck through this week, too.
Day nearly withdrew Thursday morning because he felt so ill. He wound up tied for the lead after the first round and was near the top all week, even while scuffling through a 2-over 72 Sunday.
He thought he might have blown it when his approach to the final hole went into the water. But he got a reprieve when playing partner Blake Adams knocked his ball into the water, too.
Day salvaged a bogey, while Adams, a 34-year-old Tour rookie, took a double bogey and dropped into a tie for second with Brian Gay and Jeff Overton.
"I wasn't nervous," Adams said. "I just didn't play well."
Spieth will be headed back to his junior year of high school Monday with a whole lot to talk about.
