Jason Day hopes he can bottle a similar magic to American superstar Jordan Spieth after confirming his first Australian return in four years.
World No.9 Day announced on Friday his one-tournament trip will see him tee it up at the Australian Open in Sydney on November 23, after last vying for the coveted Stonehaven Cup in 2013.
"I'm really excited to come back and play my national championship. It's been a while since I've been home, but the Australian Open has always been a special tournament to me," Day told AAP.
The Ohio-based Queenslander welcomes a stern challenge at The Australian Golf Club from defending champion and world No.2 Spieth, who has used his two Australian Open titles as a springboard to lofty heights.
After a six-shot Open win at The Australian in 2014, Spieth won the Masters at Augusta and the US Open in a breakout 2015, before claiming this year's British Open eight months after a sudden-death play-off win at Royal Sydney.
"Coming down to Australia has obviously been great for Jordan's career; both times he's won the Aussie Open he's won (at least) a major the next year. I'm looking forward to coming up against him and a quality field of Aussie talent," said Day.
"Jordan will put up a good fight on a course he's played well on."
The 29-year-old Day's last trip to Australia was a successful one - he won the 2013 World Cup individual title and teams category with countryman Adam Scott at Royal Melbourne. Day also tied sixth behind 2013 Australian Open winner Rory McIlroy.
But with two back injuries and the birth of his second child preventing additional homecoming trips, he has gone on to win his first major at the 2015 US PGA Championship and enjoy 51 weeks as the world's No.1 ranked player.
Day says he was lured by a return to The Australian, where he finished as the low amateur (tied 22nd) at the 2004 Open.
"The Stonehaven Cup would be a tremendous trophy to have my name on. I played well in 2013 but I'd love to win it this time round and on an iconic course like the The Australian Golf Club would mean a lot," said Day.
"The Sydney crowds have always been really supportive of me. It's great they're going to see Jordan defend his title."'
JASON DAY'S AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS
2013: Tied sixth
2011: Tied fourth
2005 (amateur): Tied 51st
2004 (amateur): Tied 22nd
