Jason Day, the world-renowned golfer, has once again teamed up with his former coach, mentor, and caddy, Colin Swatton, in a reunion that has the golfing world abuzz. The pair, whose relationship dates back to Day’s early years as a troubled 12-year-old at Australia’s Kooralbyn International School, has rekindled their collaborative spark at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Day disclosed his optimism about this reunion: “He knows my game better than anyone. We had a bit of a break, but now we’re back together, and I’m excited to see how my game progresses.”
Day’s performance in the tournament thus far has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite the challenging winds during the first round, which saw him finish with 76, he bounced back phenomenally, scoring a career-best 64 at Bay Hill, complete with seven birdies and an eagle. This has catapulted him to fifth place, just four strokes behind the leader, Shane Lowry, promising an exciting weekend of golf ahead.
However, the tournament has not been as kind to the eight-time PGA Tour Champion, Billy Horschel, whose struggles at Bay Hill have been evident. After an underwhelming performance from the tee on Thursday, Horschel ended with scores of 79-74, missing the cut. This marks his third failure to make the cut in his last four appearances at Bay Hill, a disappointing turn after his initial eight successful starts at the course.
Despite his own performance, Horschel was quick to praise Day’s exceptional round on social media, tweeting, “One of the best rounds I’ve seen in a long time! Played beautifully! @JDayGolf,” demonstrating the camaraderie and mutual respect amongst these top golfers.
Meanwhile, Day’s rollercoaster season continues. After finishing third at the American Express Golf tournament, he slipped to 13th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, highlighting an inconsistency that he’s keen to rectify.
Furthermore, Day was not the only golfer who shone brightly at Bay Hill. The leader himself, Shane Lowry, delivered an exemplary performance. Thriving on the challenge of the tough course, Lowry used the calmer conditions on Friday to his advantage, carding six birdies for a 5-under 67, extending his lead in the tournament. Reflecting on his success, Lowry commented, “I think my iron play is solid, and I know when to play it safe. I love the grind of a tough course. Pars are good here.”
With a total of 8-under 136, Lowry stands as the only player to break 70 in both rounds, showcasing his adeptness at handling the pressure. As the weekend approaches, the golfing world watches intently to see if Lowry can maintain his lead and if Day, along with other contenders like Rory McIlroy, Corey Conners, and Collin Morikawa, can mount a formidable challenge. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is shaping up to be an unforgettable contest, and we’re just getting started.
