Jason Day’s delight at Torrey Pines play-off win

Jason Day: Visualised winning. Picture: Getty

Day was tied with JB Holmes, Harris English and Scott Stallings on nine under par at the end of the fourth round and, after Stallings and English were eliminated on the first hole of the play-off, Day capitalised on a mistake from Holmes to clinch victory. The win sees the 27-year-old Australian move up to fourth in the world rankings, and he is targeting bigger things in the future.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Day said afterwards. “I’ve been visualising myself holding this trophy all weekend, just like I did at the Matchplay [which he won in February 2014], and telling myself I’m not to stop, I’m not going to stop.

“I’m really proud of myself for hanging in there and grinding it out. This is a course I love to be at, the San Diego area is a fantastic place and we’ve had good weather this week so I’m thrilled.”

Told of his rise in the rankings, he added: “That’s good news. My ultimate goal is to get to number one at some point. There are a lot of great golfers ahead of me but this is a good start to the year and hopefully I can stay healthy and get on a good run.”

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Holmes and English had begun the day in a share of the lead but played defensively as they both went round in par 72 – with Holmes particularly conservative when he chose to lay it up on the par-five 18th.

That allowed Day and Stallings to make up ground with rounds of 70 and 69 respectively, with Stallings making an eagle on the par-five 13th. Day only just hung on for his 70, having over-hit a chip on the 18th which appeared to be heading for the water before stopping short.

Stallings and English quickly ran into trouble when the play-off began on the 18th hole, with Stallings leaving himself short while English found the rough on the left of the green.

Holmes and Day each made birdies to eliminate them but, on the par-three 16th, Holmes over-hit his tee shot beyond the green and wound up with a bogey, allowing Day to two-putt for the win.