Jason Day returns to the PGA TOUR after a tough runner-up finish in the AT&T Byron Nelson, going down in a playoff to Billy Horschel.

But a home course advantage of sorts awaits the World Number 3 this week and can only further enhance Day’s game as he looks to re-gather the form he had in a break-out 2016 season.

Although this is Day’s first hit at the Muirfield course in his adopted home state of Ohio, the 29-year-old will take a different approach to a track he knows well, but has given him trouble in the past.

“Today was the first round I’ve played at Muirfield this year. I’ve played here for many years now. I’ve been so busy and been on the road that I haven’t had the opportunity.” Day said.

“With that being said, looking forward to coming out here and trying to change the way that I usually play around here. This has always been one of those tougher stops for me. Not so much the golf course, itself, I think it is a little bit of hectic week when you’re in town and you only live 25 minutes away. I’m interested to see how things go.

“I’m very excited, obviously coming out from the back end of a good tournament week. Hopefully I’ll keep the momentum going and hope for a good week and see how it goes.”

The experience around the course has not exactly yielded the best results for the Queenslander, but hearing his thoughts on how it will play and suit his game, a quiet air of confidence exudes from the former World Number 1.

“It’s a course where I think if you hit it like 280, it sets up perfect for you. You can hit it to the corners, you don’t have to try to take over the bunkers. Like for instance, 10, 11, 12, 13, the par-4 in the corner, I can take it over that bunker. But once again, if you take that on and you don’t hit it on the correct line, you hit it straight, you can hit it in the trees and it’s difficult. But if you hit it just above average out here, it sets you up in perfect position.

“And I think the biggest thing for me is that typically in the past when I’ve had 3-woods in my hands, which I do have a lot of 3-woods in my hands around here that has made it tough for me. When I can get a 2-iron in my hand off the tee, it makes it a lot easier to hit fairways and give myself opportunities.

“But once again, it’s all about not short siding myself here. If you short side yourself, the greens are very fast today. They are receptive, but fast. It’s a second shot golf course, and you can’t short side yourself at a place like this.”

It has been admittedly a tumultuous year off the course for Day, the struggles he has had in his personal life have very much been publicised and he was the first to admit it played a significant role in a disappointing start to the season.

But his play at Byron Nelson, particularly a blistering 7-under 63 third round, reminded the golfing world just how dangerous Day can be when he’s on song.

“I just have to single focus on playing and getting back to the Number 1 spot, and that’s what I want to get back to,” Day added.

“I have to really focus on that, and all my life is pretty much doing that. If I get distracted here and there then it takes me away from being able to accomplish that goal.

“But once again, there’s a lot of good players that are working hard, trying to get back up to the top of the mountain. I’m certainly one of them. And trying to keep a good round, especially with three Majors coming up.”