Player backs Day for Masters

Legendary South African golfer Gary Player fancies the chances of Aussie Jason Day ahead the Masters at Augusta starting next week.

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Johannesburg - Legendary South African golfer Gary Player fancies the chances of Aussie Jason Day ahead the Masters at Augusta starting next week.

Player, a nine-time Major winner, tipped Day to come out on top at the year's first Major. Day triumphed last week in the World Match Play as he went unbeaten in five days of fierce competition among the top 64 players in the world.

Following the win, Day moved back to the top of the world rankings, dropping American and defending Masters champion Jordan Spieth to second.

“There are a host of players that can win [The Masters], but I loved Jason Day's swing long before he won [the USPGA] and I've always loved Jason Day's game. At the moment, I would say Jason Day,” said the 80-year-old Player.

Despite picking Day for the win, Player said Spieth would still have a great chance with his excellent play on the greens. “Jordan Spieth's game is suited to Augusta. He's the best putter. If you said to me, would I like to be the best driver of a golf ball or the best putter; I'd take the best putter every day.”

With so many players in the world's top 10 playing well at the moment, a sudden death playoff was a strong possibility. Player, in his trademark outspoken manner, said he was against a sudden death playoff to decide a winner.

“A sudden death play-off is an absolute nonsense. You play 72 holes for a tournament and then you decide it on one hole. How do you decide on a Masters or a US PGA winner on one hole?” - African News Agency (ANA)