Jason Day holds nerve to win US PGA with record score

Australian golfer Jason Day won his first major and set a new record at the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits as he became the first man to finish a major with a score of 20-under.

The 27-year-old, who has been runner up at a major tournament three times and has six top four finishes, held his nerve to beat man-of-the-moment Jordan Spieth by three strokes and take the title, although the American's performance was enough for him to replace Rory McIlroy as the world number one.

"The experiences that I've had in the past with previous major finishes has definitely helped me prepare myself for a moment like this," said Day, who broke down in tears after confirming his victory on the 18th hole. "I was one of those guys where I was so close and I wasn't the last man standing and it was frustrating for me."

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At the US Open earlier this year Day collapsed with vertigo but he was "the last man standing" on Sunday, says the Daily Telegraph. "It is an understatement to say that this had been coming and after this 67, Day's ability to handle the major heat can never be questioned again."

But there were doubts at the start of the day. "Many expected Day to wilt, not in the stifling heat but on account of the mental scarring that would be only natural after what had gone before," says The Guardian. "And yet Day had played flawless golf until dropping a shot on the 8th and inexplicably chunking an approach shot to the 9th. Crucially he holed from 10ft to save par on the latter as Spieth dropped a shot."

It was "a historical display of power and composure", says USA Today. "Day's resounding triumph carried historical weight, too. With rounds of 68-67-66-67, he became the first player to finish a major championship at 20 under, breaking the record in relation to par set by Tiger Woods in the 2000 British Open when he finished 19 under."

Day "crushed" the four par-five holes on the course, adds the paper, and finished on 14-under on those four holes alone.