Monday 17 August 2015 16:32, UK
Jason Day could not hold back the tears after finally securing his first major title with a three-shot victory at the PGA Championship on Sunday.
The Australian led from start to finish during the final round at Whistling Straits, closing with a five-under-par 67 to hold off the challenge of new world No 1 Jordan Spieth, having previously recorded nine top-10 finishes in major championships.
Day was in tears before he even tapped in for par at the 18th and he sobbed on the shoulder of Colin Swatton, his caddie and long-time coach who rescued Day as a 12-year-old struggling to overcome the death of his father.
"I didn't expect I was going to cry," he said. "A lot of emotion has come out because I've been so close so many times and fallen short.
I lose my dad at 12, and then meet Colin and have him walk the journey with me and have him walk up the 18th hole with me was just a special, special thing, that I could never forget.
"To be able to play the way I did today, especially with Jordan in my group, I could tell that he was the favorite. Just to be able to finish the way I did was amazing.
"I lose my dad at 12, and then meet Colin and have him walk the journey with me... and to have him walk up the 18th hole with me was just a special, special thing, that I could never forget.
"Me and Col have been working so hard on the swing, especially over the last few weeks, and the driving. It propelled me to win this week.
"If I didn't drive as long and as straight as I did, there's no chance I would have won this tournament just hitting it average.
"I learned a lot about myself, again, being able to finish the way I did. The experiences that I've had in the past with previous major finishes definitely helped me prepare myself for a moment like this."
Day, who climbed to a career-high world No 3 with his victory, was thrilled after setting a new low at the majors with his 20-under total.
"It's a fantastic record to hold," he said. "There have been such amazing golfers... and to have that record just goes to show the work I've put in is paying off."
The PGA Tour season continues this weekend with coverage of the Wyndham Championship, live on Sky Sports 4 HD from 7pm on Thursday.
