In the midst of the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, one prominent name has been conspicuously absent from the defection drama: former world No. 1 Jason Day. The Australian golf star recently opened up about his lack of a formal offer from LIV, shedding light on the upstart tour’s surprising decision to pass on pursuing the talented but injury-prone player.
The Injury Factor
Speaking candidly to Code Sports Australia ahead of the upcoming Australian PGA Championship, Day revealed that while his agent did explore the potential of a move to LIV Golf, the rival tour ultimately declined to make a concrete offer. The reason? Day’s extensive history of injuries.
“I said (to my agent), ‘No worries, I’m happy with where I’m at, but it’s always nice to know,'” Day recounted. “And they (LIV Golf) said, ‘We love Jason, but he’s too injured; he just gets too many injuries.’ I don’t blame them.”
It’s a frank admission from the 36-year-old, who has battled chronic back issues and other ailments throughout his career. Despite his immense talent and past success, including a major victory at the 2015 PGA Championship and a 47-week stint as the world’s top-ranked player, Day’s injury woes have undeniably impacted his consistency and availability in recent years.
A Blessing in Disguise
Though some may view LIV’s snub as a setback, Day sees it as a fortuitous turn of events. Watching fellow Aussie Cameron Smith make the leap to LIV last fall, Day realized that remaining with the PGA Tour was the right path for him.
“I’m so thankful and so happy that I stayed on the PGA Tour,” Day emphasized. “I just feel that the tour was a perfect spot for me.”
The decision to stick with the PGA Tour seems to be paying off for Day. After plummeting to 175th in the world rankings earlier this year and even contemplating retirement due to his persistent back problems, the Aussie has experienced a resurgence of late. A swing overhaul with renowned coach Chris Como has helped Day snap a five-year winless streak, culminating in a triumphant victory at the 2023 Byron Nelson.
Neutrality and Hope for Unity
Despite the personal nature of his decision to remain with the PGA Tour, Day has made a conscious effort to stay neutral when discussing players who have opted for LIV. Rather than engage in the political fray, he expresses hope for an eventual reconciliation between the warring tours.
“I’m hoping we join back together because there’s definitely a lot of players on the LIV tour that we miss on the PGA Tour,” Day shared. “I’ve always played very central with LIV and just never really got in the politics of it all.”
As the golf world continues to grapple with the fallout from the LIV Golf insurgence, Jason Day’s candid reflections serve as a reminder of the complex personal and professional considerations at play for each individual athlete. While some may see LIV’s decision to pass on Day as a slight, the resilient Aussie views it as a confirmation that he is exactly where he belongs – and he has the game to prove it.
