Jason Day Wins 3rd PGA Tour Title, First At Torrey Pines

Jason Day became the first Australian to win at Torrey Pines in notching his third U.S. PGA Tour title on Sunday. Day survived the challenge from three other contenders in a four-man sudden-death playoff of the Farmers Insurance Open. Day was also just the third international player to win the event.

“It sounds good to be the champion,” Day, who beat Americans J.B. Holmes, Harris English and defending champ Scott Stallings in the playoff, said to Reuters after the win. “It is an amazing feeling. I just kept visualising myself holding the trophy. I’m really proud of myself.”

The 27-year-old, who is from Beaudesert, Queensland in Australia, turned pro in 2006 and has now three PGA Tour wins including the 2014 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship. For his recent effort, Day won $1,134,000 and earned 500 points.

In the post-match interviews, Day admitted that he had doubts in returning to top form after a nagging thumb injury and a bulging disk in his back. But he had enough motivation to aim for the number one spot in the golf rankings. As of the latest update of the Official World Golf Ranking in the PGA Tour website, Day now ranks as World No. 8. Top golfer Rory McIlroy is still number one with 583.03 points while Another Australian is in fourth place with 291.93 points. Day has 225.55 points.

Day also added in an interview after the win that he’s just happy to be “back in the mix” again and that the last time he won a golf tournament “feels like two lifetimes ago.”

Day improved on his finishes at Torrey Pines the last three years. He was tied for ninth in 2013 and tied for second in 2014 but went all the way to the title in 2015 when he shot two-under-par 70 to end up nine-under for the tournament.

After struggling with injuries and notching the most recent PGA Tour victory, Jason Day can now officially say he’s back in top form.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author of this article.