Day ready to spoil Mickelson’s US Open party MyZA

Phil Mickelson at 2007 Barclays Singapore Open (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jason Day would rather prefer to steal the US Open trophy and give Australia back-to-back major winners for the first time than receive an invitation to Phil Mickelson‘s birthday on Sunday.

Day enters the final round at Merion Golf Club in eighth place just three shots behind Mickelson, a four-time major winner but five-time US Open bridesmaid, hell-bent on claiming his maiden major and spoiling the party.

Mickelson sits as the only man under par at one-under 209, one clear of fellow Americans Hunter Mahan and Steve Stricker and 2011 Masters-winning South African Charl Schwartzel at even-par 210.

England’s Justin Rose and Luke Donald and American Billy Horschel share fifth at one-over 211.

Tiger Woods struggled to a nine-over par total, leaving him high and dry on the fifth anniversary since his 14th and last major win.

With plenty of golfing kismet heading in Mickelson’s direction given it is his national open, he’s been so close so many times and it’s his 43rd birthday, Day is hoping he can follow the lead of Geoff Ogilvy in 2006.

Ogilvy prevailed at Winged Foot when Mickelson famously threw away a one-shot lead on the last with a double-bogey.

Day, 25, has two runner-up finishes in majors and was third in April’s Masters tournament after he gave up a two-stroke lead with three to play.

His form since was nothing to write home about but the Queenslander always gets up for majors.

“I’ve come off some pretty average golf lately and I needed to pump myself up for this week. The majors are kind of where it’s at,” Day said.

“I think that it really defines a career and if you can win as many as you can.

“I’ve had a couple of opportunities to win before, but to actually win on one of the toughest US Opens that I’ve ever played, to know that my game is good enough to compete and win out here would be great.

“It would mean the world to me if I could win my first major here.” – AAP