AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The fortunes of Jason Day turned as quickly as the biggest match he faced in winning the Dell Match Play.
Just two weeks ago, he arrived at the Arnold Palmer Invitational without having won in six months and showing few signs that he was ready to crank up that fearsome combination of long ball and short game.
Day now heads to the Masters as the man to beat.
Coming off a one-shot victory at Bay Hill, the 28-year-old Australian overcame a back injury that nearly caused him to withdraw, went far enough in the Match Play to return to No. 1 in the world, outlasted Rory McIlroy in the semifinals and then capped off a remarkable week in Texas by going home with the trophy.
He will head to Augusta National later this week to start preparing. The Masters starts April 7.