Former World No. 1 golfer Jason Day is preparing for the U.S. Open by recreating Oakmont Country Club’s challenging conditions in his front yard. After a decade without a major victory, Day faces a difficult road to reclaim his form and potentially return to the top of the rankings.
It’s been a while since Jason Day has been in the winner’s circle of a major. His lone major victory, at the PGA Championship in 2015, is approaching its 10-year anniversary. Since then, he’s experienced a roller coaster of injuries and a five-year winless streak, with his ranking dropping to 175th in early 2023. Now, entering the U.S., he ranks 39th, though he’s been more consistent lately despite lingering wrist issues that have kept him from competing regularly.
Day recently shared his struggles with injuries, stating that his form has been ‘choppy’ due to frequent setbacks. While he has played solid golf and achieved strong finishes, the constant interruptions have hindered his ability to build momentum. ‘I’ve played solid golf and I’ve had some good finishes, but I just can’t believe we’re halfway through the season now, and I feel like the year’s gone very, very fast,’ he said in an interview, acknowledging the challenges of injury recovery and the impact on his career trajectory.
This weekend’s U.S. Open presents a critical opportunity for Day, as it will be his first competition since last month’s PGA Championship, during which he was recovering from a wrist injury. However, he may be better prepared for Oakmont Country Club than anyone else, having recreated the course’s conditions in his front yard through his partnership with TruGreen. By adjusting the speed of the greens, thickening the rough, and firming the fairways, Day is aiming to simulate the U.S. Open’s unique challenges.
He emphasized the importance of having the right team to manage these conditions, stating, ‘I do have a golf course in my front yard, and I know how important it is to have the correct people in place to be able to make that happen.’ Day’s efforts to recreate the U.S. Open experience reflect his determination to regain his form and possibly secure a major victory, which could ultimately help him reclaim his position among the world’s top golfers.