With two of the biggest tournaments of the year about to unfold Jason Day will be the man to watch beginning with a home game this week at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.

After a disappointing result at The 146th Open two weeks ago Day said his game was closer than many thought ahead of what promises to be a whirlwind finish to the 2017 season.

“I’m a lot closer than a lot of people think,” the former World Number 1 said before leaving Royal Birkdale.

“Obviously the results aren’t reflecting the scores that I’m trying to achieve. But once again, I think just got to keep busting my butt. I’ve got to stay disciplined. If I stay disciplined, it’s going to happen.

“I’ve got two weeks in a row, which is fantastic on two golf courses I love playing on.”

Day is one of six Australians to qualify for the limited field event, Adam Scott, Sam Brazel, Scott Hend, Marc Leishman and Rod Pampling also in the field.

There is a further Australian connection courtesy of Harold Varner III who also tees up at the Firestone course in Akron courtesy of his Australian PGA Championship victory last December.

Scott is a former winner at Firestone having reignited his career at the venue with a stirring victory in 2011.

That week sparked a run that ultimately resulted in his historic 2013 Masters win and the 13 time PGA TOUR winner will be looking to draw on those good memories this week.

Scott’s record at the tournament earned him eighth pick on the weekly Power Rankings put out by the PGA TOUR’s analyst Rob Bolton, Day also making the list at 15.

Like Day, Scott will be less than pleased with his play at Royal Birkdale where he failed to capitalise on the good scoring conditions in the third round on his way to a T22 finish.

He put that down mostly to his iron play not being sharp though, importantly, left England feeling confident with his putting.

“I’m happy with how my putting has felt after putting so poorly at the U.S. Open, it’s back to a nice spot,” he said after his Sunday round.

“For me that’s obviously a huge thing for confidence. If I can just keep my swinging rhythm a little better, I’ll be in great shape.”

While Day and Scott will expect to be in the mix come Sunday Marc Leishman continues to quietly go about his business having finished top Australasian again at The Open.

The Victorian’s best finish at this event came when he finished third in 2014 though he hasn’t broken 70 at the course in eight rounds since.

Leishman is a much improved player in 2017, however, and it would be no surprise to see him contending late Sunday as his career best season continues to unfold.

Of the remaining three Australians only Rod Pampling has played the tournament previously posting a best finish of T13 in 2004.

He last played in 2008 when a third round 75 spoiled an otherwise good week and after a nine year absence will be keen to play the event for the sixth time.

Sam Brazel and Scott Hend both make their debut appearances at the tournament with Hend’s game outwardly seeming the most suited t the venue.

Firestone is the longest par-70 non Major course on the PGA TOUR each year and the Queenslander’s exceptional length will be a valuable asset though accuracy may be a concern.

Brazel is the polar opposite in style to Hend and while he lacks the firepower of his fellow European Tour regular his consistent straight hitting will hold him in good stead.