Jason Day records best finish at The Open since 2015

Last year Jason Day didn’t even qualify for The Open, but the former world No.1’s career resurgence has taken a major step forward.

Jason Day has renewed belief a second major championship is within his grasp after a stirring runner-up finish at The Open while defending champion Cameron Smith lamented a “frustrating” week on the greens after a damp end to his Sunday challenge.

Having slumped to 175 in the world in 2022, former world No.1 Day has rediscovered his best in 2023, breaking through for his first win in three years and his effort at Royal Liverpool was his best finish at The Open since 2015 and best major finish since 2020.

Even getting to the weekend was a win for Day, who hadn’t made a cut at The Open since 2018 and didn’t even make the field last year.

But as winner Brian Harman streeted the chasing pack to claim a six-shot win, Day navigated the wettest day of the tournament to close with a two-under 69 to finish in a tie for second and snare a $1.6m cheque.

Asked if the result gave him belief he could contend in majors again, Day was effusive.

“Yeah,” the Australian said.

“I mean, it‘s been nice to work, especially where I was with the injuries and everything, and then coming off … you’re seeing some guys out there that are battling injuries and they lose confidence, and for me personally to be able to work through that and kind of get my game back to where I feel like it should be, I feel like I’ve done the right thing.

Jason Day recorded his best finish at The Open since 2015. Picture: Glyn Kirk / AFP

“I‘ve just got to kind of tighten things up and then maybe get myself in contention a little bit more.”

Despite his form resurgence, Day missed the cut at both the US Open and PGA and finished down the leaderboard at the Masters, so his effort in Hoylake was the affirmation he needed.

“Unfortunately, I hadn’t played that great in the majors this year, so it was nice to be able to finish this major off and finish tied second,” Day said.

“Just the slow, gradual increase in confidence through good play.

“I wish I would have cut into the lead a little bit more, you just never know. When someone has such a great lead, a big lead, big margin, and then you kind of cut into it, you just never know what they’re going to do under the pump.”

Smith never got going for the week, after holding back tears when he handed back the Claret Jug on Monday, carding just a single under par round for the tournament to finish tied for 33rd.

But having finally learnt to “love” links golf, Smith knows winning the trophy again remains well within his reach

“I would have liked to have done a better job at defending it but just wasn‘t my week this week,” he said.

It wasn’t Cameron Smith’s week. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

“Even at the start of the week I felt as though I was playing good enough golf. It just wasn‘t my week. Usually, I’m leaning on my putter to make good scores, and this week it was almost the opposite.

“A bit of a frustrating week on the greens.

“I can‘t wait to get back here next year and give it another crack. It’s golf that I’ve learned to love. Can’t wait.”

Adam Scott closed with a two-under 69 to finish with Smith tied for 33rd, adamant his old legs still had the major motivation to keep coming back.

“It’s kind of the reason I still work hard at my game, thinking I could have a chance to get that other hand on the jug that I was so close to getting,” he said.

“That’s what I’ll be working at over the next 12 months, to come back and have another crack and be in good form and maybe steal a trophy later on in my career.

Adam Scott had a good week. Picture: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

“I think while I’m still feeling like I’m really playing relevant golf, which I think I am, it’s very hard to play at the top level forever. It’s not going to happen. But on a given week, I think I can still (win).”

Min Woo Lee, the only other Australian to make the cut, went backwards on a wet Sunday, carding a four-over 75 to finish in a tie for 41st.