Wednesday 1 June 2016 11:37, UK
World No 1 Jason Day says he has been energised by recent wins for Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy ahead of his bid to win the Memorial.
Day returns to PGA Tour action for the first time since his victory in the Players' Championship at Sawgrass last month, when he led from start to finish.
With the US Open at Oakmont just around the corner, all three players continue their preparation at Muirfield Village this week, which should make for a mouth-watering tournament.
And Day says the prospect of taking on his two biggest rivals, plus the likes of Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson, can only act as a huge motivation.
"I heard a couple of weeks ago that it bothered Jordan that I was winning tournaments and have the number one spot in the world," Day said.
"And it should. It should bother guys who are competitive and want to stay on top as well.
"I know I'm pushed that way as well when I see Rory or Jordan on top of the world. I want to do that as well. So it's great to see how they've responded so quickly."
Day is a member at Muirfield Village and admits it is tough to understand why his performances in the Memorial have been so poor.
The Australian, who has never finished in the top 10 at the Ohio venue, went as far to call his results 'horrific' but is hopeful the 2016 tournament will see that run come to an end.
"I typically play this course when I'm playing in a social round," he added. "I play it very aggressive. I'm hitting drivers off most tees or taking lines that you wouldn't take.
"For some reason, I've kind of turned that into the actual tournament, I'm taking similar lines, and you just can't do that.
"I feel different this year. And I'm hoping for a better result."
