As Jason Day's Resurgence Continues, He Hopes Restlessness is Next

Six years after being world No. 1, the Aussie is getting closer to contending. He'll know he's there when he's up all night before a final round.

More Weekly Read: 'Designated' Events Are Working | What to Expect From Tiger | Fore! Things

Jason Day has found a recent run of success after several years of struggles. Whether it was numerous back issues, swing changes, putting misfortune and—perhaps the biggest issue, the health of his mom, who passed away—Day has seen his share of frustration on the golf course.

It's hard to believe but Day was last No. 1 in the world six years ago—after Pebble Beach in 2017. He won at Wells Fargo in 2018 and hasn't won since.

Jason Day finished fifth at the WM Phoenix Open :: Alex Gould/USA TODAY Network

And Day admitted that he sort of mourns for those days when he was constantly in demand.

"Yeah, I do," he said at the WM Phoenix Open. "Look, I miss, obviously, talking pretty much every week and being in front of the media and playing good golf and trying to win tournaments. That's like the big thing for most guys out here. They’re trying to get in contention. You miss those feelings on Saturdays and Sundays.

"Typically when I'm in the mix on Sundays I get no sleep that night. I miss that. I've been sleeping quite nicely over the last two years. And that's, like on a Saturday night, not what I want to do. I want to have no sleep."

Perhaps Day is headed toward those sleepless nights once again.

After seeing his world ranking plummet from 30th at the end of 2018 to 105th at the end of 2021 and to as low as 164th last year, Day has gradually moved up in recent weeks. He tied for 18th at the American Express and tied for seventh at the Farmers Insurance Open before another nice run at the WM Phoenix Open, where he finished fifth.

Now 35 and the winner of 12 PGA Tour events, including the 2015 PGA Championship, Day has climbed back into the top 100 in the world. It seems hard to believe, but Day is not yet qualified for the Masters and would miss it for the second straight year if he doesn’t earn an invitation. He played in only the PGA Championship last year among the majors.

The best way back to Augusta National is to win. Or another avenue would be to jump into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking after the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. The road has clearly not been easy. And the drop in the rankings was humbling.

"I was telling Luke my caddie at the Amex (near Palm Springs) I got lost going out of the golf course because they had a concert," he said. "And I got lost and I just sat on the side of the road looking at the mountains for like 30 minutes. Because I just felt, it felt like no matter what I did, I was turning the wrong way every single time.

"(With golf) I was struggling with my body. Struggling mentally. Struggling with my mom passing. Struggling with a lot of things. I think finally over the last few months I feel like things are finally settled down to where I can actually focus on golf and playing golf and really just trying to do the best job I can.

"It's hard because you go from being the best player in the world, everyone kind of knowing you and doing this. Then all of a sudden like you’re scraping it around trying to make cuts. That can be a difficult process. It's not an easy fall. Now I'm just trying to work myself back up."