Back in the day, there was talk of Jason Day and Rory McIlroy becoming golf’s next big rivalry. But it never quite took off.
McIlroy has five majors to his name, with his first coming at the 2011 US Open, held at Congressional Country Club.
The closest challenger that week was Day, though he still finished eight shots back from McIlroy.
And Day also went on to become a major winner too, winning the 2015 PGA Championship and taking over the World Number One spot later that year.
Rory McIlroy’s early call on Jason Day’s future that came true four years later
Following his win, McIlroy was asked about a potential rivalry with Day, who had just finished tied for second at The Masters.
Speaking about the Australian, McIlroy said: “Yeah, definitely, Jason has played fantastically the last three Majors.
“He had a chance at Whistling Straits. Finished second at Augusta. Finished second again here this week. I said to him on the 18th green during the prize ceremony that he’s very close.”
McIlroy and Day first crossed paths when they were both teenagers in Melbourne during a practice round for the Australian Masters.
Even back then, Jason stood out. If you were in Australia, you probably already knew his name before he even hit the big stage.
The Northern Irishman added: “He’s only a year older than me. So he’s got a lot of time on his hands. And to be doing what he’s doing so early is fantastic.”
Rory McIlroy made another prediction at the 2011 US Open that also came true
While Day hasn’t quite managed to hit the heights that McIlroy has, he did indeed prove his fellow professional right just four years later.
His first major title came at the 2015 PGA Championship, where he finished three shots clear of Jordan Spieth.
That win remains his only major, though he’s picked up 13 PGA Tour victories overall during his career.
McIlroy, on the other hand, has 29 PGA Tour wins to his name. But Day did reach number one in the world rankings, matching an achievement of McIlroy’s.
The Northern Irishman was also asked about another former world number one after his US Open win in 2011. He was questioned if he looked forward to competing against a fully fit Tiger Woods.
He responded: “Yeah, I mean, it would be great to… I’ve watched Tiger over the last 15 years. It would be great.”
“When I was growing up, I always had putts to win Tiger Woods in the Masters or US Open. So it would be great to be able to get in contention one day, whether it be a major or just a regular event and go down the stretch with him because I’ve never really had that experience before.”
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The pair have certainly enjoyed many memorable moments together in the years that have followed, although Woods is now unfortunately out of action once again.
Woods underwent a seventh back surgery last month and remains out for now as he continues his recovery.
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