Former World No.1 And Major Winner To Skip Home Open

Jason Day hasn't featured in Australia's national open since 2017, with Day staying in the United States after the recent birth of his fifth child

Jason Day hits a chip shot
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Australian PGA and Australian Open are set to receive bumper fields, with many home players making the venture back to Australia to play in their home opens.

Major winners Adam Scott and Cameron Smith are reportedly set to feature, with the likes of Min Woo Lee, Lucas Herbert and Cameron Davis also making a visit to Australia.

However, one player who won't be present for the events is Jason Day, with the former World No.1 opting to stay in the United States after the recent birth of his fifth child, Winnie.

Jason Day holds the AT&T Byron Nelson trophy

Day claimed his first PGA Tour title in five years at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, confirmed on Thursday that Day will not be playing in the Australian tournaments, with Kirkman stating: “Going through his manager, the timing is not going to be right so soon after little baby Winnie was born.

“I think we’ll see Jason playing in Australia from 2024 and beyond. He’s very keen to return and the discussions we had this year were more promising than any other year."

Back in July, Kirkman confirmed the Australian Open will once again be a mixed event with the Australian and Lakes clubs co-hosting in Sydney. The event will take place the week after the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship staged at Royal Queensland.

Cameron Smith holds his finish on an iron shot

Smith will return to defend his Fortinet Australian PGA Championship

(Image credit: Getty Images)

At the time, Day was reportedly in line to play, with Kirkman claiming in July that: “We spoke to Jason twice now and he's keen to come home and play again in Australia. He has got another child on the way that's going to be due between now and the end of the year, so good discussions with Jason. We'll just see how it pans out."

Although Day won't be present, Kirkman is "confident" that Scott and Marc Leishman will be taking a visit to Australia, with the CEO stating on Thursday that: “Adam (Scott) and Marc (Leishman), I’m very confident (about). I’m talking with their managers, and with both of them. I’m confident they’ll be coming home to play. We’ve just got to make sure everything is in place.”

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x