Jason Day Wins First Major, Breaks a Tiger Record

A year of major heartache ended with Jason Day breaking through in a major way today at the PGA Championship. Day never gave Jordan Spieth or anyone else much of a chance at Wisconsin's Whistling Straits. He closed with a 5-under 67 for a three-shot victory and broke Tiger Woods' major championship record for most strokes under par by finishing at 20 under. Woods finished at 19 under when he won the 2000 British Open at St. Andrews. In tears before tapping in for par, Day hugged his son and wife and then Spieth, who earned a small consolation prize with his runner-up finish. Spieth moved to No. 1 in the world, ending the one-year reign of Rory McIlroy.

Day moved to No. 3 in the world, meaning the top four in the world are all under 27 and have combined to win five of the last six majors."I didn't expect I was going to cry," Day said. "A lot of emotion has come out because I've been so close so many times and fallen short." What a journey for the 27-year-old Australian: He understood hard times as a youth when his father died of cancer when Day was 12. For all his talent, he was questioned for winning only one tournament in five years on the PGA Tour. With a share of the lead at the US Open and British Open, he had to watch someone else celebrate. Not on this day. Not even close. More here. (More Jason Day stories.)