Golf ace Day flags playing in Brisbane Olympics

Making his Olympics debut has stirred the patriotism in top Australian golfer Jason Day, who says he already thinking about playing in front of a home crowd at the Brisbane Games in 2032.

The Olympics weren’t a priority for the former world No.1 when he was at the peak of his game, opting to skip the 2016 Games in Rio, and he then missed selection for Toyko after injuries and a downturn in form.

But Day has been relishing wearing the green and gold as he chases a maiden medal for Australia in the men’s tournament in Paris.

He said he was surprised by the emotions he felt being part of the Olympics, and that he meant more than he thought it would.

“Yes, by far, a lot more,” said Day, who was in a share of 10th after the third round.

“Not only playing for your country and your teammates, the crowd has made it fantastic to be a part of it.”

The vocal pro-French gallery at Le Golf National had made him think about playing in front of a home crowd in Brisbane in 2032, which follows the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

“It must be an absolute thrill to be a Frenchman or Frenchwoman playing and competing for your country here in the Olympics,” said 36-year-old Day.

“I’m just hoping Brisbane comes around and I’m still young. That would be nice.”

He admitted that making money was his prime motivation through his career rather than medals, but the Games had made him reflect on his priorities.

“Typically we are always constantly trying to win tournaments on the PGA Tour – we look at the money list and we look at what money we’d make.

“Ever since I was an 18-year-old kid, I didn’t have a lot of money; it’s always been about winning tournaments and making a lot of money.

“This week is not about that. It’s more. It’s about trying to prove if you’re good enough to win a medal. There’s only a small list of people who have won a medal here, especially in golf.

“It’s definitely opened my eyes… I’ve thoroughly enjoyed representing something bigger than myself.

“That’s been a complete honor to do that.”

For the first time in seven years Day is expected to return home to Queensland and play in Australia’s summer of golf later this year.

“I’m going to go at the end of this year, that’s the plan,” he said.

“It’s (the Olympics) definitely reconnected myself with why I play the game and why I love the game so much.”