Presidents Cup: Meet the International team

There were a lot of things to feel good about from an International perspective in 2015, but Jason Day’s performance was not one of them.

Tasked with taking on elite U.S. pairings, Day sputtered with an 0-4-1 record including a 3&2 loss to Zach Johnson in singles.

Day admirably owned up to it during his media availability on Tuesday.

“I let the team down two years ago in Korea,” Day was quoted by the Sunshine Coast Daily. If I actually played well, we probably would have had a good shot at winning. Unfortunately I take the blame for that. I didn’t play good. I was ranked No. 1 on the team for a reason, and I didn’t show up.”

Day had a disappointing rookie debut (1-3-1) in 2011 but has it in him to thrive in this event as evidenced by a 3-1-1 mark with a win in singles in 2013.

The 29-year-old Australian recently let go of longtime caddie Colin Swatton but did well in his first start without him placing fourth at the BMW Championship.

He’s on the cusp of going his first calendar year since 2012 without a win. By the same token, Day has begun to show signs of the elite golf we saw from him just last year while world No. 1.

Before the final two FedEx Cup Playoffs event which did not have a cut, Day made five cuts in a row all T27 or better. A 77 spoiled an otherwise championship-caliber performance at the PGA Championship in August.

Part of Day’s struggles this PGA Tour season, prior to a resurgence in recent weeks, start with the driver. He’s still as long as anyone in the world, but he’s barely hitting half of his fairways (53.94%, 172nd).

Day’s short game (15th in strokes gained around-the-green) and putting (seventh in putts per round) have helped cover up a lot of mistakes off the tee.