Jason Day has quietly tip-toed into the 2016 season.
Jordan Spieth is all over the globe and feeling a bit run-down.
Rory McIlroy finished tied for third in Abu Dhabi and didn’t putt very well.
While the world’s No. 1 and No. 3 have been out and about, Jason Day hasn’t been seen since the Tournament of Champions.
Day, ranked No. 2 in the world behind Spieth, comes out this week to defend his title at Torrey Pines.
Of the current “Big Three” Day is the one who has to closely monitor his health. His bouts with vertigo and dizziness came to light last summer at the U.S. Open and to a slight degree, at the Open Championship. Those problems are the effects of inner ear problems. As a result, Day has to take precautions to counter those effects.
Day arrived in San Diego “under the weather.” He withdrew from the Wednesday Pro-Am due to flu-like symptoms.
Given his health history, he may be looking at a tamer schedule than most.
In Hawaii, he started slow, as might be expected for his first outing after a 100-day layoff. By the third and fourth rounds, he flashed and showed what Day is all about, closing with rounds of 69-65.
This week at the Farmers Insurance Open he returns to the place where his breakout 2015 season got its jumpstart. His victory at Torrey Pines last year launched him into a campaign that saw him win five times, including his first major at the PGA Championship.
He first saw Torrey Pines back in 2004 at the Junior World Championships. “I couldn’t believe how long it was and how hard is was,” he said of his first look at the South Course.
Today, long is never a problem for Day, neither is hard.
What he does face this week is some pretty good competition.
Phil Mickelson comes into his hometown brimming with confidence and looking forward to one of his favorite courses.
Rickie Fowler’s sensational finish earned him his first big win of the year last week in Abu Dhabi.
You think he might be brimming with confidence?
Brant Snedeker, Bill Haas and Patrick Reed are in the field and they have had success at Torrey Pines.
Day will play his first 36 holes with J.B. Holmes and Harris English.
World’s No. 7 Justin Rose makes his 2016 debut and will go out with Mickelson and Jimmy Walker.
Fowler is paired with Reed and Hideki Matsuyama.
The field will alternate the first two days between and the North and South courses then move to the South for the weekend.
