JASON DAY claimed his first major golf title at the PGA Championship with a record score of 20-under par. Day shot a 5-under-par 67 in the final round at Whistling Straits golf course in Kohler, Wisconsin, to finish three shots ahead of Jordan Spieth, who replaces Rory McIlroy as the world No. 1 after closing the tournament with a 4-under-par 68 Sunday.

    “It’s a fantastic record to hold,” said Day, who often grew emotional during interviews after his win. “There’s been such amazing golfers, especially throughout the history of golf, our sport, and to have that record just goes to show the work I’ve put in is paying off.”

    Day’s brilliant play allowed him to hold off Jordan Spieth by three strokes, denying the young Texan a chance to become only the third golfer to win three majors in one season.

    The win helps Day to escape from the dreaded “never won a major” list and provides a nice cap to what had been a disappointing majors season. Day entered Sunday of the U.S. Open with a share of the lead but battled a bout of vertigo and came up short at Chambers Bay. He did the same at St. Andrews for the British Open but missed a birdie putt on the 18th green that kept him out of playoff won by Zach Johnson.

    Day has been incredibly consistent in 22 career starts at the majors, garnering seven top-5 finishes and 10 appearances in the top 10. Both his play and personality have made him a fan favorite.

    Spieth, who overtook Rory McIlroy to become No. 1 in the wold golf rankings, finished with a final round 68 and was playing for a chance to join Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) as the only golfers to win three majors in one season.

    Day, however, entered the final round with a two-shot lead over Spieth and was aggressive early, taking birdies on the second, fifth, sixth and seventh holes.

    (SD-Agencies)