3 minute read
Australian Jason Day is four shots off the lead after two days of the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale after a second round 71.
Jason Day is dreaming of a return to sleepless Saturday nights after hanging tough on a long day to remain right in contention at the weather-disrupted Phoenix Open.
The Australian former world No.1 completed the last eight holes of his opening-round 65 on Friday and then carded a second round of 71 to be at six under and in a tie for sixth.
American Scottie Scheffler (68-64) was setting the pace at 10-under 132, two shots clear of Spaniard Jon Rahm and Canada's Adam Hadwin at TPC Scottsdale, which was hit by high winds and frost during the opening round.
None of the afternoon starters were able to complete their second round.
Day, 35, is without a win since 2018 but has had five top-20 finishes in his past seven starts, including an equal-seventh at last week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
He needs a victory in the next few weeks to force his way into the field for the Masters at Augusta National in early April.
Defending Phoenix Open champion Scheffler and Rahm are duelling for top spot on the world golf rankings.
That's the sort of rarefied air Day enjoyed in 2015-16 before he was hampered by a serious back injury.
But the Australian still believes he can get back to the pinnacle of world golf.
"Obviously I miss talking pretty much every week and being in front of the media and playing good golf and trying to win tournaments," he said in Phoenix.
"That's the big thing for most guys out here; they're trying to get in contention.
"You miss those feelings on Saturdays and Sundays.
"Typically when I'm in the mix on Sundays I get no sleep that night and I miss that.
"I've been sleeping quite nicely over the last two years and that's like on a Saturday night, that's not what I want to do.
"I want to have no sleep."
Fellow Australian Lucas Herbert was in a tie for 49th at even-par with seven holes to play of his second round.
The projected halfway cut at TPC Scottsdale is one-over.
