ATLANTA – While many figured Dustin Johnson wrapped up the PGA Tour Player of the Year race with his victory two weeks ago at the BMW Championship, there may still be a scenario that could vault Jason Day back into the mix.
Both players have won three times this year, but Johnson’s victory at the U.S. Open would be the tiebreaker in many players’ minds. Day won The Players, WGC-Dell Match Play and Arnold Palmer Invitational; while Johnson’s other victories are a World Golf Championship and the last playoff stop.
“It’s up to my peers,” Johnson said on Wednesday at East Lake. “It’s kind of what they think. I feel like I’ve got a good shot to win it, hopefully. I guess we’ll see after this week.”
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The deciding factor could be Day’s performance this week at the finale. If the world No. 1 were able to win the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, it could influence some players’ decision.
“If I win four times, win the FedEx Cup . . . I’m hoping that pushes me over the line if I win,” Day said. “If we both finish tied fifth [at the Tour Championship], he obviously deserves it. My biggest thing is I’ve got to win, and if I win, that hopefully pushes me over the edge.”
It was a similar scenario for Day last year, when he won five times and could have positioned himself to unseat Jordan Spieth, who also had five victories, in the POY race, but the Australian tied for 10th place at East Lake.