Jason Day has revealed blowing a stellar chance at winning the Australian Open was a motivation behind his drought-breaking victory at Torrey Pines.
The Australian former world No.1 ended a 20-month winless streak on the US PGA Tour when he defeated Sweden's Alex Noren on the sixth play-off hole at the Farmers Insurance Open on Monday.
Day says the drive to return to top form was accelerated by blowing the 54-hole lead at the Open at The Australian Golf Club in November, when he faded to fifth during the final round.
"I drove it great down there and had a lot of opportunities at winning that tournament and I didn't get across the line, which was really disappointing," Day told AAP.
"It had been four years since I had played in Australia and I wanted to put on a good show in front of the home crowds, but I didn't do a good enough job and that really frustrated me because I played some good golf at The Australian."
Day had targeted his national championship, his first time contesting it since 2013, as a potential springboard back to the world No.1 form he enjoyed in 2015 and 2016.
Both Jordan Spieth (2014 and 2016) and Rory McIlroy (2013) won at least one major in the year following their Stonehaven Cup triumphs in Sydney.
But 30-year-old Day believes failure also played a significant role in his 11th PGA Tour victory and second at the famed San Diego course.
"Being in contention gave me a lot of confidence coming into this year," said Day. "Jordan won the Australian Open and went on to dominate the next year.
"I wanted to use that same platform for myself to be able to do the exact same. I didn't but sometimes with a loss and failing it spurs your on to try even harder."
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