World Number 1 Jason Day finished one shot outside the
playoff at the 2015 Open Championship but it proved the catalyst that kick
started a phenomenal run for the Queenslander.

Following this near miss at St Andrews, Day went onto win
the Canadian Open the very next week.

He claimed his first Major, the PGA Championship two weeks
later and followed it up with victory at The Barclays.

A further victory at the BMW Championship made it four wins
in six starts for Day after The Open.

"It was the start of my run where everything changed in my
world," said Day.

"I think subconsciously I finally got over the hurdle that,
it’s my time to start winning and play well."

"I finally found that belief in myself to be able to really
say, "You’re a good player. You deserve to win these if you put yourself
in these opportunities."

"Unfortunately, I didn’t win that week, but then I followed
up with a win in Canada after that."

This year Day is determined to try and etch his name into
history among the greats on the Claret Jug.

"To be able to be called the Champion Golfer of the Year
would be fantastic," added Day.

"Coming so close last year is definitely a motivational
factor. I would love to one day hold the Claret Jug, to be able to put my name
down in history with the best that have ever lived and played the game."

Day comes to Royal Troon off the back of a loss at the WGC –
Bridgestone Invitational and while it was a disappointing result, he believes
it has made him a better player.

"Two weeks ago, that is pretty motivating. It’s very easy to
look at the negatives," said Day of his loss.

"After sitting down, thinking about it and talking to Col we
really went over why things went down at Akron."

"It’s more about learning, because I learn more so when I
fail than when I win."

"To be honest, we’re not going to win every single one. Even
though I don’t like losing, it was great to be able to learn something from
that and try to move forward and get better from it."

This week standing between Day and the Claret Jug are the
world’s best players.

World Number 2 Dustin Johnson Has won his last two tournaments
including the U.S. Open and the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational that Day let
slip through his fingers.

"I’m sure Dustin has a lot of spotlight on him this week,
because he has won the last two events he’s played in, and they’ve been pretty
big events," said Day.

"He’s typically played pretty well in the Open Championship,
so he’s obviously going to be a very tough guy to beat this week as the rest of
the field is."

"I’m not so worried about them beating me. I’m worried about
myself, beating myself, and that’s the biggest thing. To really try to conquer
yourself and try to conquer your ego at times."

"If they beat me just because they play better, that’s fine.
But if I beat myself and let them beat me, that’s what’s disappointing and
frustrating for me."

Day is less focused on his opponents and more on the job at
hand, successfully negotiating the Royal Troon challenge.

"Every year I start out, I get excited for all the Majors. I
get excited to be able to play The Open, not only because of the fans, but
because of how challenging the golf course is and the weather," added Day.

"You have to somehow adapt your game to the weather and the
golf course and really plot yourself around these golf courses."

"That’s the most satisfying thing that you can get out of
being able to beat the best in the world on some of the most challenging golf
courses that we don’t usually get to play."

"I’d be over the moon if I could hold the Claret Jug one
day."

If Day, the MyGolf Ambassador, wins The Open he would join
his childhood inspirations as the fifth Aussie to have raised the Claret Jug after
Greg Norman (1993, 1986), Ian Baker-Finch (1991), Peter Thomson (1965, 1958,
1956, 1955, 1954) and Kel Nagle (1960).