LA JOLLA (California) • Australian Jason Day has set his sights on reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking, after he won for the first time in 20 months when he beat Alex Noren in eerie silence in a play-off at the Farmers Insurance Open.
With the course closed to the public on Monday for logistical reasons, he sealed victory with a birdie at the sixth extra hole after Swede Noren found a water hazard with his second shot at the par-five 18th at Torrey Pines.
It was the 11th PGA Tour triumph for Day, which lifted him from 14th in the world rankings to 10th. The 30-year-old had not won since the 2016 Players Championship when he was ranked No. 1.
"It's been a long time (without winning) so I'm happy to start off the year great. It's special because I worked very hard in the off-season to get back in this position," said Day, who also triumphed here three years ago.
The Australian dominated the game for nearly a 10-month stretch from August 2015 to May 2016, winning seven times, including his first Major at the PGA Championship.
But family worries as his mother dealt with cancer, and a recurrent back problem subsequently set him back.
"I've got to shoot for that goal (of being world No. 1) because if I don't, then I'm not working hard enough and I'm not doing the right things," he added.
Day and Noren could not be separated in five extra holes on Sunday - both finished 72 holes on 10-under 278 - before the play-off was suspended because of darkness.
It lasted just one more hole on the resumption on Monday morning after Noren narrowly failed to clear the pond guarding the green with his second shot.
Day, who laid up after driving into the rough, punched his third shot to tap-in distance for an easy birdie, pretty much ending Noren's chances. After taking a penalty stroke, the Swede had to pitch in for a matching birdie, a task that proved too much.
Noren, 35, was seeking his maiden PGA Tour victory. He has won nine times on the European Tour.
He had no regrets at going for the green from 250 yards, and was only a whisker from pulling off what would have probably set up an easy birdie. His ball landed on the bank of the pond but trickled back in.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
