Jason Day finishes strongly at Hilton Head

World No.1 golfer Jason Day has bounced back from a 79 to finish strongly at the PGA Tour event in South Carolina, carding a final-round three-under 68.

Jason Day of Australia in Hilton Head Island

Australian golfer Jason Day has finished strong at the PGA event in South Carolina. (AAP)

Jason Day is back to looking like the world's top-ranked golfer, following up a season-worst 79 in the US PGA Tour's Heritage Classic with a three-under 68 final round.

The Queenslander finished the tournament at one under par and tied for 23rd, eight shots behind South African winner Branden Grace while Aaron Baddeley was the best-placed Australian in a tie for ninth at three under.

Grace shot a 66 to win by two shots from former world No.1 Luke Donald (71) and Russell Knox (67), claiming his first US PGA Tour title and 11th worldwide victory.

Day now starts a welcome week off after a remarkable - and gruelling - run of tournament golf that included victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the WGC-Dell Match Play before a tie for 10th last week at the Masters.

Day looked as though he'd have a chance to add this trophy to his case, sharing the 36-hole lead at Harbour Town Golf Links.

But his Saturday round included a double bogey and eight bogeys to drop off the pace.

"Yesterday was kind of an off day, but it's nice to get a round under par," Day said.

"I get a break now."

Day made sure to leave on a high note. He was much more on target in the final round with four birdies and finished with his third round in the 60s here.

"I've had three great rounds and just one really, really poor round that put me out of the tournament," Day said.

"I did a lot of great stuff this week, especially coming off the back end of a major and the back end of two wins."

For Day, the time off will be a welcome chance focus on fitness and strength training.

He said this stint - Day says he's been away from his Columbus, Ohio, home for all but 10 days since December 28 - has him out of sorts and leaning on bad habits that he hopes to correct.


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Source: AAP



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