Specialized writers from Sports Illustrated and Golf Magazine give their unfiltered opinions regularly for golf.com. Here is what they have said about Jason Day’s recent tournaments:
1. Jason Day won the BMW Championship and leapfrogged Rory Mcllroy and Jordan Spieth for the top spot in the World Rankings. What’s your take on Day’s run of four wins in six tournaments? We asked a few weeks ago, but we’ll ask again: Is Day making a serious run at taking Player of the Year honors away from Jordan Spieth?
Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Day’s run is something I’d never thought I’d see: he’s playing like Tiger did for spells in his prime. Except that Tiger did it about a half-dozen times over the course of a decade. It’s impressive, and he’s shown more golf skill than I ever knew he had. If you are a Tour player, you might very well vote for him as player of the year. If you’re a fan – and most of us are fans – it has to be Spieth. Majors are majors for a reason.
Jeff Ritter, senior editor, SI Golf Group (@JeffRitter): Four wins in six events, with a major tossed in there, is rarefied air. Because Spieth’s major run was so special, I still think Day has to win next week to make POY a real debate. That it’s a debate at all speaks to just how great Day has been lately.
Joe Passov, senior editor, GOLF Magazine (@JoePassov): Jason Day is the best golfer on the planet RIGHT NOW. His closing run, and his consistency in the majors (with a win) would have earned him POY honors in many years. The Player of the Year for this year, however, is Jordan Spieth. Two majors, whiskers away from two others, two other wins and a bunch of second place finishes in Texas…All things being fairly equal, including Day with one more win (pending the Tour Championship), Spieth’s two majors trumps Day’s one.
Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated (@GaryVanSickle): Sorry, Jason, but two majors and two near-misses beats one major and potpourri. Spieth locked up the Player of the Year a long time ago. It’s over.
Brendan Mohler, assistant editor, GOLF.com: Day’s recent run is nothing short of incredible. If not for his unfortunate bout with vertigo at the U.S. Open, this season may have been defined by an entirely different narrative where Day is the undisputed Player of the Year. But unless he wins next week at East Lake, he shouldn’t be heavily considered for POY. But as the likely FedEx Cup champ, I wouldn’t be surprised if the PGA Tour gives Day the honors in a misguided attempt to add value to the playoffs.
(via Golf Com)
