Jason Day, Australia’s second-ranked golfer, is set to make his return to the Masters, having achieved five top-10 finishes at Augusta National throughout his career. Despite facing challenges with his iron play, Day feels he has regained his form and is ready to compete after overcoming recent struggles.
The prestigious tournament begins on Thursday evening AEST, and Day is eager to reclaim the spotlight he once held as a consistent contender. With a remarkable debut as a runner-up in 2011 and a near victory in 2013, Day arrives at Augusta with renewed confidence following strong performances earlier in 2026.
After finishing tied for second at the American Express in January, Day secured a sixth-place finish at the Houston Open, an event that bolstered his confidence. “I’m doing the right things,” the 38-year-old remarked as he prepared for this year’s Masters. “My driving is solid, and my iron play has significantly improved compared to the previous weeks.” He also noted that his short game and putting are coming together nicely, leaving him feeling optimistic about his game.
Day’s primary concern lies with the configuration of his irons, which previously led to missed cuts at both Riviera and Bay Hill. However, he managed to find a remedy at the Players Championship last month. He had been struggling to adapt to his latest Avoda club models. “Initially, the first generation of irons was going too straight for me when I wanted to hit a draw,” he explained. “The second generation drew too much, but after some adjustments to the third generation, I found a better balance.” Despite these adjustments, he faced challenges with how the clubs visually appeared to him, which added to his difficulties.
By reverting to his original iron model, Day experienced a remarkable turnaround, exemplified by a second-round score of 63 in Texas last week. “I’ve come full circle, transitioning from a draw to a fade,” he said. “Golf can be frustrating as we often desire what we don’t possess, but I aim to stick with what works best for me.”
Day maintains confidence in his ability to secure another Masters title. In 2011, he narrowly missed out on a playoff with fellow Australian Adam Scott due to Charl Schwartzel’s stunning finish. In 2013, Day lost a two-shot lead with three holes to play, and in 2019, a double bogey on the 15th hole derailed his chances of contending against Tiger Woods. While those past near-misses linger in memory, Day is focused on improving upon his joint-eighth finish from last year as he competes in his 15th Masters tournament.
Col Swatton, Day’s long-time coach and mentor, emphasized Day’s unwavering determination to capture a second major title, adding that his career remains distinguished. Day is among an elite group of golfers who have finished as a runner-up in all four majors and won the 2015 PGA Championship. “He aims to achieve significant milestones, and reaching 20 wins would grant him complete exemption on the PGA Tour,” Swatton shared with the Golf Channel. “He’s on the verge of a Hall of Fame career but is committed to accomplishing more, leaving no unfinished business in his pursuit of excellence.”
