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©Getty Images/Richard Heathcote

Rolex Testimonee And 2015 Pga Championship Winner Jason Day With The Wanamaker Trophy

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©Rolex/Chris Turvey

Rolex Testimonee Jason Day Hits A Tee Shot At The 2023 PGA Championship

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©Rolex/Chris Turvey

Rolex Testimonee Jason Day In Action At The 2022 PGA Championship

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©Rolex/Chris Turvey

Rolex Testimonee Hits A Tee Shot At The 2017 Presidents Cup

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©Rolex/J.D. Cuban

Rolex Testimonee Jason Day In Action At The 2017 Presidents Cup

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©Rolex/J.D. Cuban

Rolex  Testimonee  Jason  Day Hits A Tee Shot At The 2023 BMW Championship

• Day turned professional in 2006 and his association with Rolex began in 2010
• The Australian is a former World 1, having first achieved the ranking in September 2015. He went on to win his first Major title at the 2015 PGA Championship. In doing so, Day became the first player in history to finish at 20-under-par in a Major championship
• Following this victory, Day continued his fine form by claiming The Barclays and BMW Championship, the first two events in the FedEx Cup playoffs in 2015
• To date, Day has 19 professional wins including 13 on the PGA TOUR and received the prestigious Mark H. McCormack Award in 2016 – awarded to the player who spends the most weeks at World No. 1 during the calendar year
• In December 2023, Day won the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational mixed team tournament with playing partner and fellow Rolex Testimonee Lydia Ko
• Day has represented the International team at the Presidents Cup™ on four occassions (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
• As an amateur, Day was twice awarded the Australian Junior Order of Merit

Q&A WITH ROLEX TESTIMONEE JASON DAY

Q: Can you describe what it is like to be part of the Rolex family, alongside some of the game’s greats such as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods?

Jason Day (JD): To be part of the Rolex family alongside the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tiger Woods is special and those names really represent the brand. It’s very nice to be mentioned alongside them and in the same conversations. Rolex has been an amazing partner for a long time for me. I look forward to having a long, healthy relationship with Rolex, but also to be able to be friends with these people is amazing.

Q: What are your overall thoughts about Rolex’s longstanding support of golf?

JD: It’s been amazing. It dates back to 1967 when it started with Arnold Palmer and soon after, he was joined by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – the Big Three. That’s how it all started, Rolex partnering with those three greats of the game. If you then go through what Rolex has done in the game of golf and its support not only at a junior level but to the elite amateurs, the men’s and women’s professional games, the Major tournaments and team competitions, it just goes to show how much golf means to Rolex and also how much we appreciate the brand’s support.

Q: Can you share a particular moment or experience that highlighted the significance of your partnership with Rolex in your career?

JD: When I was going through injuries and it was time to start looking at extending the partnership, Rolex came to me and asked to extend it. What that meant to me was that it clearly represented more than just a partnership. It was more about the family component and how the relationship that started in 2012 had blossomed into something more than your typical partnership – more than just Rolex and Jason Day; it was a family for me. The loyalty also really stands out – not only from my side to Rolex, but from Rolex to me and from Rolex to the many tournaments and tours around the world with which the brand is partnered with and supports.

Q: You have played in the Presidents Cup™ on four occasions, representing the International team in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. What is it about these team competitions that you particularly enjoy?

JD: It’s evolved over time. I had Greg Norman as my first captain, followed by Nick Faldo and Ernie Els. Ever since those two took the reins, the whole team environment and the way in which we used statistical analysis to pair the guys together changed. I know we haven’t had the greatest results but I feel like we’re at the cusp of that changing. Unfortunately, the last couple of times when I was supposed to play, I have been injured and it hurt not being able to get out there and play. I really wanted to go out there and play and be on the team. I also really want to beat the American side because everyone knows that whether it’s the Presidents Cup™ or The Ryder Cup, the American side is always good. The Presidents Cup™ is something that we really look forward to. At the start of my career, I didn’t really know whether I would really look forward to these team events but it’s something that I’ve grown to really love. As golf is such an individual sport, to have a group of guys behind you, pushing you to beat the guy you’re playing or trying to win a cup for the first time is something special. I know the International team have won it before but not for a long time. You don’t forget the memories you make playing in team competitions and the ones I’ve got from my four appearances will always be with me – in particular, the feeling of having that group of guys standing behind me trying to push me on.

Q: You made your Presidents Cup™ competition debut in 2011 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Can you tell us about this experience and also your earliest memories of the competition?

JD: It was down in Australia and I had Aaron Baddeley as one of my teammates at the time. It was so much fun. From an Australian fans perspective, I think they were more just appreciative of both sides getting down there to play, and the Australian and Victorian government being able to step in to facilitate the tournament and get the Presidents Cup™ to take place in Melbourne in the first place to showcase the magnificent golf courses that we have in Australia, such as Royal Melbourne. I think the fans were excited to not just see the International side but also the U.S. side because we’re so starved for golf in Australia.

The nerves were high because it was my first ever massive team event, coupled with it being in Australia so there was so much expectation. There was some mixed weather but it was so fun to play against the guys. The result didn’t pan out the way we wanted it to but I enjoyed that week so much and I really hope I can play in another team event sometime soon.

Q: Who has been your favourite playing partner at the Presidents Cup™ and if you could choose any golfer in the world, past or present, to play with, who would you choose?

JD: Presently, I would love to play with fellow Rolex Testimonee Hideki Matsuyama. I’m really good friends with Hideki and enjoy the way he plays the game. I’ve enjoyed my time with Adam Scott as well, who’s also part of the Rolex family. If I had to choose to play with someone, I think it would have to be either Ernie Els or Nick Faldo. Gary Player would also be a good pick. I’ve always been a massive Ernie Els fan from the day I met him. I actually met him at the same course we played the Presidents Cup™ at. We were playing a tournament down there and I was really young. I think it would have been really fun to play with him. I distinctly remember the dual that he had with Tiger Woods down in South Africa, and the playoffs that they had and how they shared the cup in the end because they ran out of darkness, but it felt like two titans of the game going head-to-head and trying to win the cup. It was just blow by blow, trying to win at all costs and just amazing to watch. As a team event, I think I would love to play with Ernie.

Q: In 2024, the Presidents Cup™ will be held in Montreal, Canada. How motivated are you to make the team?

JD: Very motivated. This year’s Presidents Cup™ is one thing at the top of my list because obviously I haven’t been able to play in the last two or so, which hurt. To make the International team means that you are up there as one of the best players in the world that year. I’ve been to Montreal before and love the city. I love the people up there. Mike Weir is obviously Canadian and I remember his dual with Tiger at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, so this is definitely going to mean a lot to Mike and you can tell that through the meetings and dinners that we have already had. It clearly means a lot to him and to the other vice-captains as well. We’re starting to put together a really solid team and if I can be a part of that team, I would appreciate it so much, but at the same time, I’ve still got to play well and have to be focused on that first and foremost. If I can play well now and in the Major championships this season, that will work me into the International team and I’ll have the opportunity to play at Royal Montreal.

Q: Do you have any ambitions to captain the International team in the future?

JD: That’s so far away, so I’m hope that’s a long way down the line! When it comes time to being a captain or vice-captain, so be it but right now, I’m just trying to play in as many editions of the Presidents Cup™ that I can and after that’s done, I’ll focus on that!

Q: In 2015, you became World No.1 – one of the game’s crowing achievements – and stayed at the top for 51 weeks. What did this moment mean to you and how, if at all, did reaching this ranking shape your approach to your game and long-term goals?

JD: Winning the Mark H. McCormack Award in 2016 was special. To know that you are the best player in the world that year is a really big thing for me. Holding the World No.1 ranking for the longest out of anyone else that year and knowing that I was the best player on the planet regardless of what anyone else says is important to me because that’s ultimately what I work for. When I first turned professional, my goals were, first and foremost, to become World No.1 and to win Major championships. I’m currently trying to get back to World No.1 – that’s another goal of mine. My mindset is: granted, I went through some injuries but how do I get back there? I want to get back there. This is important to me. That’s what I’m striving for – to get back to World No.1. It’s always been a highlight of my career, knowing that I held that position for 51 weeks, but I would love to get back there and extend that so I can say that I was there for a lot longer than 51 weeks.

Q: How do you manage the pressure and expectations of being an elite level golfer?

JD: That’s an important question because when I first got to World No.1, I feel like I was very accessible. Anyone could come up to me and I would be open to doing whatever they would ask. I think after a while, that really drained my energy and motivation to succeed to the point that I kind of got burnt out. Being the best player in the world does come with expectations and I do understand that but being able to and learn to prioritise good golf, great golf, over anything else is the most important thing. There are three things in this world that matter to me – first and foremost, family; my golf; and my health. Those are the three pillars in my life that are important. If I can stay on top of those three pillars that will yield me good golf and if I can focus on that, I shouldn’t have a problem getting back to the top as I know I have the game to get there. Managing all the rest is something that I have to figure out myself and learn to manage it in a correct manner, but it’s something that’s just part of the game. If you’re the best player in the world, you’re the most watched guy. The expectation is for you to win each and every week, and I understand that. I would rather have that expectation, that pressure and that stress than not have it. If I don’t have that in my life then I’m not striving for excellence or to get to that next level or to be a better person and player, so that’s what I’m looking forward to the most.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your golf career? What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

JD: Colin Swatton was my caddie and coach for the longest time, so he was a massive influence on me. My agent, Bud Martin, has been a massive influence in my career – not only golf wise but in terms of the business side of things. My wife has been a huge influence too. When I sometimes feel like I can’t push anymore, she’s the one lifting me up and pushing me further. Having her by my side telling me ‘you have more to accomplish in this game’ – in particular, during my injury years – meant the world to me.

My current coach, Chris Como, made me realise that you have to play this game with more love and passion than pain. At the start of my career, I think I played with more pain and that was the thing that really motivated me based off my experiences as a kid, not growing up with a lot of money and a lot of the memories that I had were painful. That was a lot of the core motivation as to why I wanted to be a player and succeed as a golfer; whereas now, that has changed. I think I’m playing more out of the love of the game and passion for the game, and there’s a lot more longevity in that. There’s a better place to play from when you’re playing from that type of love and passion.

There have been plenty of influential people along my career that have helped me so much and pushed me in the right direction. Equally, with what they’re trying to do, I’m trying to push them too. There’s been an equal push-and-pull.

With regards to the best piece of advice, I always remember my dad saying ‘never say die’ which means you go out there and give everything that you possibly have, and if you do and the other guy beats you, you go and shake his hand and you move on and try to win the next one and do the best job that you possibly can. Leaving it all out on the golf course is what this saying meant to me.

Q: As a professional golfer, you get to travel the world and play the sport in some amazing locations. Do you have a favourite course to play on? If so, what is it and why?

JD: I do. Now, granted, we do play courses at the best time of year. When we play Augusta National, it’s tournament golf course; when we play St Andrews at The Open Championship, it’s tournament golf course. Some of the best memories I’ve had are from playing Carnoustie. One of my favourite courses to place is Muirfield Village in Ohio – that’s a top five. Pebble Beach on a great day is one of my favourites. However, if I had to play at one golf course for the rest of my life, it would have to be St Andrews just because of the playability – there are so many different ways to play a links golf course – but there’s something so spiritual about it. St Andrews is the Home of Golf. There’s something so different and just the feeling of being there is different. If you’ve ever been there, you will understand what I’m talking about. It’s just a different feeling and I enjoy the golf course so much, so I would have to say St Andrews.

Q: How do you like to relax and spend time away from the golf course?

JD: I spend the majority of my time away from the golf course with my family. We have a couple of farms up north, so we spend a lot of time out on the farm together. I grew up as a farming boy back home – we would raise cattle and everything. I’ve got five kids so that usually keeps me pretty busy!