Patience is a virtue Jason Day does not want to rely on much longer.
The world No.10 is coming off yet another runner-up result as he prepares to tee up on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula this week, making it six second placings on the US PGA Tour since 2009 with three thirds to boot and just the lone 2010 victory.
Since finding his best game in 2011, 26-year-old Queenslander Day has achieved three seconds and a third in major championships and 21 top-10 finishes from 60 starts on the US tour – an impressive return rate of 35 per cent.
But none of them have yielded a second victory.
He is still holding to a mantra of patience but underneath burns a man desperate to win again as he watches players well below his world ranking lift trophies.
“Torrey Pines (last Sunday) was a good result but also a missed opportunity so I really want to be out there and play again,” Day said.
“It’s the best start to a year I’ve ever had so I am stoked with that but I really want to get a W (win) early to set the mood for the rest of the year and heading into the majors.
“Watching Kevin Stadler break through last week has once again steeled me to get out there and get that win.”
Day spent the last week back in training and practice camp with his coach and caddie Col Swatton in Palm Springs.
With a sixth place finish last year in Monterey, where players alternate on the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Club and Monterey Peninsula Country Club before returning to Pebble for the final round, Day has form on the layouts.
“People were spoiled seeing Tiger (Woods) and Phil (Mickelson) and those guys win multiple times and they assume it’s easy but you have to put the time in to get results,” said, almost reminding himself.
“I am still 26 years old and have plenty of time and who knows how many wins I will have between now and when it’s all done.
“Sometimes you get there early, sometimes you get there a little later than you want, but I am focussed on doing everything it takes to get there.
“I learn from every tournament and every mistake I make and with that experience I should only get better.”
Day is one of 11 Australians in this wek’s field along with Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Steven Bowditch, Greg Chalmers, Scott Gardiner, Matt Jones, Bronson La’Cassie, Geoff Ogilvy, Rod Pampling and John Senden.
