Golf

Jason Day excited for double title defence to get underway

Canadian Open starts a week before the US PGA - and Day is current champion of both

Jason Day’s Canadian Open victory in 2015 acted as a springboard for his maiden Major victory in the USPGA shortly after. Photograph: Getty
Jason Day’s Canadian Open victory in 2015 acted as a springboard for his maiden Major victory in the USPGA shortly after. Photograph: Getty
Wed Jul 20 2016 - 13:12

World number one Jason Day hopes a return to sunny weather — and the scene of past glory — can help him put his Open disappointment aside.

Day failed to make an impression on the leaders at Royal Troon last week and eventually finished tied 22nd on one over par, 21 shots behind winner Henrik Stenson.

The Australian hopes to get that out of his system at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey this week, an event he won last year before following up with his first major title at the US PGA Championship.

Those two events come back to back this year, with the PGA taking place at Baltusrol next week, and Day is looking forward to the chance to relive past success — away from the wind and rain of Scotland.

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The 28-year-old said: “I’ve got Canada now. I’m pumped to get back to some 90-degree weather, don’t have to wear three or four layers every day.

“The fans are fantastic. I’m looking forward to playing Glen Abbey, it’s a beautiful golf course, really fun to play.

“Then obviously the PGA is the first time I’ve ever defended a major championship.

“So I’ll try to soak up the experience of what that entails with regards to the start of the week, but once Thursday comes around you have to go out there and execute and play good.

“I’m excited about that but also excited to defend Canada as well.”

Dustin Johnson, the world number two, will also be in action in Oakville, Ontario after a quiet outing at the Open.

The US Open champion had been the pre-tournament favourite in South Ayrshire but finished 18 shots behind Stenson in a tie for ninth.

Johnson said: “It was just okay. I felt like I hung in there pretty well and hit a lot of good shots but just struggled on the greens.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to some warm weather and playing on some fast greens. I think it’s a golf course where if I drive it well, I’m going to play pretty well.”

Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Open runner-up Phil Mickelson are among the leading players sitting out the event as they focus on Baltusrol preparations.

Graeme McDowell, who has ground to make up in the race for Ryder Cup places is the sole Irish entrant.