Australian Open: Jason Day paired with Tiger Woods and in the hunt
Published:Jason Day will tee it up with Tiger Woods at the Australian Open this week and the young Australian looks a tempting bet to better his boyhood hero.
Day has longed to play with Woods since he became a professional back in 2006 but until now has not played in the same group as the 14-time major champion.
However, Day has no room for sentiment and feels the aura surrounding Woods that saw fellow competitors and playing partners crumble has disappeared.
Speaking to ABC News, Day said: “Looking back the last couple of years, I think he’s lost it a little bit.
“I have always wanted to play against him and it’s going to be fun.”
Day has every right to be confident after a breakthrough year that saw him finish second in the US Masters and the US Open.
He has climbed to seven in the world rankings and is joint second favourite with Woods to triumph in the Australian at 10/1.
He has yet to win an event this year though, so a better bet may be to back Day – who turns 24 on the Saturday of the tournament – each-way which will pay out if he finishes in the top five.
The third member of the marquee group is fellow Australian Robert Allenby who can be backed at 25/1 to win the tournament for the third time in his career.
Finally, defending champion and yet another Australian Geoff Ogilvy is 16/1 to retain his title but has yet to win on the tour in 2011.
