Jason Day Makes Stunning Masters Comeback After 7-Year Drought
Jason Day Makes Stunning Masters Comeback After 7-Year Drought...
Australian golfer Jason Day surged to a dramatic victory at the 2026 Masters Tournament on Sunday, ending a seven-year PGA Tour winless streak at Augusta National. The 38-year-old former world No. 1 carded a final-round 67 to finish at 14-under par, edging out defending champion Scottie Scheffler by one stroke.
Day's emotional win marks his first major championship since the 2015 PGA Championship and his first Masters victory. The comeback story has captivated American sports fans, with #JasonDay trending nationwide as viewers witnessed his tearful reunion with family behind the 18th green.
The victory comes after Day nearly quit professional golf in 2023 due to chronic back injuries. His resurgence under new coach Chris Como and fitness trainer Jason Goldsmith has been hailed as one of golf's most remarkable turnarounds. ESPN reports Sunday's final round drew the highest Masters TV ratings since Tiger Woods' 2019 win.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley presented Day with the green jacket Sunday evening. "This is why you persevere through all the hard times," Day told reporters, cradling his young children. The win moves Day from 78th to 12th in the world rankings and qualifies him for all remaining 2026 majors.
Golf analysts highlight Day's strategic play on Augusta's treacherous back nine, where he birdied holes 13, 15 and 16 while competitors faltered. The victory speech went viral after Day thanked his mother for remortgaging their home to fund his junior golf career in Queensland.
The PGA Tour confirmed Monday that Day has withdrawn from this week's RBC Heritage to celebrate with family. His equipment sponsor TaylorMade reported a 300% spike in website traffic for Day's driver model overnight. Sportsbooks now list Day at 12-1 odds for next month's PGA Championship at Aronimink.
Day becomes the first Australian to win the Masters since Adam Scott in 2013. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Day during a live television cross, calling it "a victory for every working-class kid who dreams big." The champion is scheduled to appear on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night.
