Day breaks through as an emerging force
As Rory McIlroy basked in the glory of a record-breaking US Open triumph on Sunday, Jason Day built on his own reputation as an emerging force with another second place finish at a major championship.
The 23-year-old Australian, who surged past overnight leader McIlroy at the Masters to tie for second with compatriot Adam Scott in April, held off half a dozen rivals at Congressional Country Club to claim the runner-up spot behind the Briton.
Day compiled a bogey-free three-under-par 68 to finish on eight-under-par 276, eight shots adrift of McIlroy but two clear of Yang Yong-eun of South Korea, world No 2 Lee Westwood of Britain and Americans Robert Garrigus and Kevin Chappell.
"It's my first US Open. I'm very excited that I finished second," the big-hitting Day told reporters. "I'm not going to go home and cry because I got whupped."
Day's finish was commendable but he was quick put the result into perspective in light of McIlroy's stunning exhibition of near-flawless golf.
"You can't beat a guy that's gone out and played as well as he has this week," Day added. "He just didn't miss a beat, played phenomenal golf."
Day played some impressive golf himself after registering 71 and 72 to sit one over for the tournament at the halfway stage.
On the weekend, he fired a six-under-par 65 in Saturday's third round and 68 on Sunday, finishing the tournament without a single bogey over his last 45 holes.
"I played really, really solid golf over the weekend, and I'm very, very happy to finish second," he said.
Day said these were exciting times for the game's younger players, noting major wins by 20-somethings Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa in the British Open, Martin Kaymer of Germany at the PGA and South African Charl Schwartzel at the Masters.
"Each country has their own rising star coming up. This is the start of it, and obviously Rory is leading it," Day said.
"We really are going to start a new generation, and it's really fun. I think it's great for golf."
McIlroy said he expected Day to win a major.
"Jason has played fantastically the last three majors," the 22-year-old Northern Irishman said. "He had a chance at Whistling Straits (tied 10th at the US PGA). Finished second at Augusta. Finished second again here this week.
"I said to him on the 18th green during the prize ceremony that he's very close."