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Walking gingerly between shots at Conway Farms
outside Chicago, the former world number one nevertheless swung
with apparent freedom to card a seven-under-par 64 and end the
day two strokes behind compatriot Marc Leishman in share of
second.
"It's just a little stiff in the back," said the long-suffering
Australian, who has been plagued by recurrent pain throughout
his career. "I feel I have a stiff back every week."
After dumping Col Swatton in the run-up to the tournament, Day
strode the fairways in the company of childhood friend Luke
Reardon, who was working as a fill-in caddie this week.
Day says Swatton, his mentor, coach and caddie since the age of
12, will stay on as instructor.
"Luke did a fantastic job out there today," Day said. “You never
know whether you're going to gel. He's a good golfer, has got a
keen golf I.Q."
Day has happy memories of Conway Farms, where he gained the
world number one ranking by winning the BMW Championship two
years ago.
He is 40-under par in his career at Conway Farms, nine shots
better than any other player, but he has not been his usual self
for much of this year.
Something had to give and, as with Rory McIlroy and Phil
Mickelson before him this northern summer, it was the caddie.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina, editing by
Nick Mulvenney)
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