A little luck, lot of skill helps Day win at Torrey Pines

Jason Day , from Australia, flips a short pitch onto the 18th green at Torrey Pines where he saved his par to earn a spot in a four man playoff on the south course at Torrey Pines during the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) Jason Day , from Australia, flips a short pitch onto the 18th green at Torrey Pines where he saved his par to earn a spot in a four man playoff on the south course at Torrey Pines during the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

By Associated Press February 9, 2015 5 min read

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Jason Day had a good feeling that this was going to be a big year for him as long as he could stay healthy.

Here’s to good health.

Day lived up to one part of his mission Sunday in the Farmers Insurance Open by winning a four-man playoff on the second extra hole at Torrey Pines, which doesn’t host the U.S. Open for six more years but certainly felt like one in February.

“I’ve never been more motivated to play well than right now, this year,” Day said. “The other years I was motivated, but I wasn’t … I really want to kick butt this year. I’ve come close so many times to having great years. To be able to be healthy again, be out here playing, getting off to a good start … I was really motivated to not only have a great year, but try and achieve that No. 1 spot.”

He moved to No. 4 in the world, still miles behind Rory McIlroy, though he can at least claim to be No. 1 in Australia. He moved past Adam Scott at No. 5.