Paul Gow’s birdie scoring record eclipsed as Jason Day bounces back in Hawaii

For the past 23 years a former Aussie tour pro shared a significant scoring record but it has finally been beaten.

Jason Day during the final round of The Sentry at Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 07, 2024 in Kapalua, Hawaii. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP (

One errant shot cruelled Jason Day’s attempts to start 2024 with a win but his ambitions to take his career resurgence to the next level and push for a long stay among the world’s best players remains.

Having declared himself as healthy as he’s been in years with an eye on a return to world No.1, Day was one shot off the lead at the first PGA Tour event of the year in Hawaii when he missed the green on the par three eighth and sent his ball in to the scrub.

He could only manage a double-bogey which sent him tumbling down the leaderboard as players went on a birdie blitz at Kapalua including Korea’s Sungjae Im who set a new tour record for the most birdies in a 72-hole event.

But his 32 birdies across the four rounds, including 10 on the final day, breaking the record of 32 set by a trio of players including Jon Rahm last year and Australian Paul Gow in 2001, wasn’t enough for win as Chris Kirk secured a one-shot win.

After almost 23 years, @paulgow's shared record of 32 birdies in a 72-hole @PGATOUR event (2001 BC Open) has fallen.

Korea's Sungjae Im has 33 birdies late in the final round at @TheSentry. pic.twitter.com/kinj8T91AL

— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) January 7, 2024

Day, who is once again Australia’s highest ranked player after a return to the winner’s circle in 2023, found another four birdies himself on his back nine to finish 10th, five-shots behind Kirk, having declared a healthy body could take him a long way this year.

“Yeah, it’s a good way to start the year. I just can’t help but feel thankful to be able to play this game, and be here healthy and enjoying golf, which is a good thing,” he said.

“I still want to compete and play well and try and win this tournament. So, three more days to go, but I feel very lucky to be here.

“I still get hiccups every now and then still. For the most part, yeah, through my No. 1 years (in 2015), I was in a lot of pain, but kind of just, I did -- I sucked it up and just pushed through the pain. Which was, like, great, but it was, like, very short.

“So, hopefully, this time getting back there I can stay there for a lot longer than what I did.”

Day is also set to jump from his spot as world No.19, which makes him the highest ranked Australian after Cameron Smith fell to No.25.

Originally published as Paul Gow’s birdie scoring record eclipsed as Jason Day bounces back in Hawaii