Australia’s world number one Jason Day admits he has a lot of work to do after shooting a disappointing two over 73 in the opening round of the Britsh Open at Rioyal Troon yesterday.
The 28-year-old — who has gone close on several occasions at the majors but has only last year’s US PGA Championship to his credit — accepted that with far less favourable  weather predicted for today he may have missed an opportunity at posting a good score.
“You know, it’s 2-over par on a pretty easy day out there,” said Day, who finished one shot off being involved in the play-off for last year’s title.
“But the next three days are going to be pretty difficult.
“So I’ve got a lot of work to do. But hopefully by the end of the day I’m not too far behind. I can just slowly inch my way back into the tournament.”
Day, who has been seeking advice from ailing 14-times major winner Tiger Woods over the past year, said despite the relatively mild conditions links golf was a different challenge.
“It is,” sad Day responding as to had he found it frustrating not to record a better score.
“But you still can’t understate links golf and the bounces that you get out here.
 “You’ve still got to hit good shots and play well.
“Obviously, it is a little frustrating, but I think if the next few days are going to be very difficult, the scores are probably going to start coming back.
 “If I can just play good, solid golf and get the ball in front of me, I think I can inch my way back in.”
 Day, who finished second in the Masters once and on two occasions has been runner-up in the US Open, conceded that he was struggling mentally vis a vis his swing.
 “I was missing it both ways I’m pretty certain,” said Day.
“It’s more the irons that I’ve been struggling with.
“Obviously when you’re confident with your swing, you can get up there and hit different shots. Right now I’m trying to hit a certain shot and it’s coming out the opposite.
“So there is obviously a little bit of a — more of a mental issue there with not trusting the swing as much.
 “I think if I can work that out — I mean, I don’t think it’s anything other than just got to get out there and just try to hit the shots, and hopefully it comes together over the next few days.”
 Day, who has said his ambition is to become as dominant in the sport as Woods once was, said he would have to hunker down and grind out a good score if the weather really kicked up on Friday.
 “If I’m going to miss greens, I’m going to miss greens on hard days, and if I can just grind myself out and make pars, it would be great,” said Day.
 “If I can hit a little bit better tomorrow, that would be fantastic. Hit a few more greens, hole a few more putts.
 “I think I only made two birdies today, so that’s pretty low on a day like this where we have no wind and the course is very gettable.
 “So I think if I’m patient and I just start hitting the correct shots and give myself the opportunities, I can get myself back in the tournament.”