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'Underachiever' Day eyes US Open glory

3 minute read

Jason Day and Adam Scott admit their talent should have delivered more majors by now but are determined to win this week's US Open at Pebble Beach.

JASON DAY of Australia plays in the second round of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges in Jeju, South Korea.
JASON DAY of Australia plays in the second round of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges in Jeju, South Korea. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Jason Day has labelled himself a "severe underachiever" as he and countryman Adam Scott attempt to live up to their potential and win a second major at this week's US Open at Pebble Beach.

Considered Australia's golfing successors to Greg Norman, Scott and Day have each admitted their lone major win does not reflect their performances on the biggest stage - or their prodigious talent.

Both Queenslanders have already gathered stellar careers.

Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters - his 2013 triumph at Augusta among 13 US PGA Tour wins - while Day's 2015 US PGA Championship highlights his dozen titles.

But for former world No.1 Day, it is nowhere near enough.

"(I have) severely underachieved," a brutally honest Day said at Pebble Beach on Tuesday.

"I think I've got a game that when it's on, I can win most tournaments."

Only days before California's famed Pebble Beach hosts its sixth US Open, Day drew a line in the sand and hired legendary New Zealand caddie Steve Williams.

Williams, 55, was on the bag for 13 of Tiger Woods' 15 major wins, as well as Scott when he won the Masters.

"(Steve also) thinks I'm an underachiever and wants me to win a lot more tournaments," Day said. "He came back on the bag to win majors, so hopefully I can fulfil that dream for both of us.

"I need to start working harder. I'm trying to chase greatness."

Scott, a supremely-gifted ball-striker, has been unable to capitalise on several opportunities at the majors since the 2013 Masters.

He has had five top-five results and four other top 10s in that arena.

But former world No.1 Scott harbours a burning desire to become the first Australian male to win multiple majors since Norman achieved that feat with his second British Open crown in 1993.

"I've had it ever since winning my first major," Scott said.

The 38-year-old Scott has been Australia's form player at the majors, having held chances to win the past four majors going back to last year's British Open.

"For whatever reason, I haven't been able to convert and I've been there a lot," he said.

"I've had good shots to win the (British) Open three or four times.

"It's hard to compare your career path to anyone else, but things happen at the right times.

"I truly believe my time is coming to add to my major list.

"Some players win them all in a bunch and others are spaced out. But I think getting the second major could be the defining moment of my career."

Pebble Beach has the smallest greens on the US PGA Tour and will favour Scott's prolific ball-striking, especially with US Open presenting lightening-fast greens and thick rough.

Day is also one to watch, with his world-class short game contributing to his two runner-up results at the US Open, which are among five top-10s from eight starts.

Day and Scott are among an eight-player Australian contingent which includes Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Marcus Fraser, Aaron Baddeley, Matt Jones and Brett Drewitt.

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