While many players are bemoaning the challenging set-up at Erin Hills, World Number 3 Jason Day can’t wait for the task ahead.

The USGA’s philosophy when preparing U.S. Open championship courses is that it should be a true and stern test of golf.

With thick fescue rough and cavernous bunkers Erin Hills is set to deliver this week at the 117^th U.S. Open Championship.

It’s a tough challenge that Jason Day welcomes.

“I’d much rather the course harder than easier, tough conditions, windy conditions, rain whatever it is, as long as it’s harder, I feel like I play a lot better in conditions like that,” said Day.

“The USGA, do a fantastic job not only testing the physical side but the mental side of things, but also the state of your whole game.

“The person that wins at the end of the week they want everything firing right at the right time.”

While it requires the champion’s game to be on point, their desire to win the Major also plays a huge factor according to Day.

“Everyone is going to run into some sort of trouble out there, everyone is. It’s a matter of how you handle yourself in that moment to prepare yourself to greatness,” added Day.

“It brings how much you desire to win the actual tournament, itself. Because everyone has a breaking point and a limit or threshold that they’ll actually reach. And they’ll go, okay, do I actually want to push it even more or do I have enough in the tank.

“Those moments are the moments when you learn the most about yourself, whether you can actually push more than you’ve ever pushed before in your life.

“And that’s why I like tougher conditions, because it constantly tests that barrier to see if I can push even further and further and further mentally and physically with regards to playing tough venues such as the U.S. Open like this.”

Day has come close to winning the U.S. Open, he finished runner-up in 2011 and 2013 but hopes this is the year he can get across the line.

“I remember finishing second to Rory (McIlroy) at Congressional. He shot, I think 16-under par, I shot 8-under par, and we got lapped by him. It was a freak week where the scoring conditions were low because of the weather

“With that said, about 1-under, 2-under, even par – they can set up the course whatever they want. I’m okay with it if 5-over ends up winning,” added Day who hopes to win his second Major in the same state as his first.

“There are a lot of good memories coming back; the people are fantastic. If I pick one (a win) up here, great. That would be a really neat thing to be able to win my first two Majors in the state of Wisconsin.”