Lydia Ko Pushes Jason Day to Chase New ‘Goal’ After Injuries Badly Derailed PGA Tour Career
Lydia Ko is an inspiration. Not just for aspiring golfers, and amateurs, but even for former world no.1 Jason Day. The Aussie will pair up again with Ko at the Grant Thornton Invitational. His partner is now a Hall of Famer. A feat that Day hopes to replicate in the future. Obviously, Lydia Ko’s entry into the Hall of Fame with an Olympic gold medal was unique. Day was one of the very first to reach out after that. “I definitely sent her a text message after she won that extra point that was needed at the Olympics saying what an amazing job getting into the Hall of Fame. I mean, not many people can say that. She’s in a class with a very few amount (number) of women that have joined her there,” Day said at the Grant Thornton press conference.
The 13-time PGA Tour winner, himself, was considered as a future Hall of Famer. But injuries threw a monkey wrench on his plans. From vertigo to chronic back pain, health issues have chased down Jason Day a number of times. In fact, his frequent run-in with injuries was a key reason why Greg Norman didn’t hunt for his compatriot. Nevertheless, 2024 has been relatively better with six top-tens. And Day hoped he would follow his playing mate to his own Hall of Fame entry. “I’m hoping that I can someday do the same, that’s my goal is to get into the Hall of Fame. I’m sitting next to one, so it’s extra — it’s motivating for me to kind of sit here and watch her do it this year,” Day added in the media interaction. While Ko needed 27 points, the process for Jason Day is different.
How Jason Day can enter the World Golf Hall of Fame
The World Golf Hall of Fame requires players to have at least 15 victories on the PGA Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour, Asian Tour, or PGA of Australasia. Either that, or they need to have at least two of these under their belt: Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship, and the Players Championship. Back in 2020, the board of directors reduced the age limit to 45 from 50. Tiger Woods entered the Hall of Fame in 2022.
Jason Day is 37. He has 16 titles worldwide, including a PGA Championship and a PLAYERS Championship victory. His goal of entering the World Golf Hall of Fame is still some years away unless the governing body lowers the minimum age requirement again. Till then, Jason Day is happy to rub shoulders with a Hall of Famer. The duo will tee off at 10.45 AM EST on Friday, December 13.
