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World number one Jason Day sets himself targets for the year on the eve of the PGA Championship.

Jason Day will begin the defence of his PGA Championship title with limited knowledge of Baltusrol having again been struck down by health problems before a major.

The world No 1 has had his preparations disrupted for each grand slam event this season since he arrived at Augusta with a back problem ahead of the Masters, battled a flu virus in the build-up to the US Open and suffered a rib injury on the eve of The Open earlier this month.

Both of Day's children have been ill this week, while his wife, Ellie, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night after she suffered an allergic reaction, and he admits the events of the week have left him "running on empty".

Day admits his patience is low due to illness disrupting his PGA Championship preparations

Day remains determined to put up a stout defence of his first major crown in the stifling heat of New Jersey, but he is wary that his patience will be tested to the limit if he gets off to a shaky start on Thursday.

"I haven't played a practice round, I haven't seen the course and I don't know what it looks like," said the Australian at Wednesday's press conference. "I was with Doug Steffen, the head pro, last night at the champion's dinner, and I went through pretty much every hole with him for about 20, 30 minutes, kind of going over all the holes.

Day and caddie Colin Swatton get their first look at the Baltusrol course on Wednesday

"I'm going to try and touch them all, but obviously the prep's been a little on the lighter side. So I need to come in and try to get a good, solid 18 holes in so I kind of know where I'm going.

"I was always going to take Monday off and Dash and Lucy [his children] are sick right now and Dash passed that on to me a little bit. I'm just a little bit under the weather.

Day has been hit by illness or injury ahead of each major this year

"Then Ellie had an allergic reaction and had to go to the hospital. We were there until 2am or something like that. So I'm kind of running on E [empty] right now.

"With the limited practice and limited prep that I've had this week, I'm not coming into this week expecting a lot. I mean, obviously I'm expecting to win, but I'm not really going to go out and force things straightaway.

"I've got to really try and manage my patience out there, because I have very little patience right now. Just for some reason, every time I get a little bit under the weather, I've got zero patience. I've got to try and manage that the best I can."

Henrik Stenson matched Day's major record-winning score of 20 under par when the Swede claimed a memorable victory at The Open, and Day feels the increased competition in recent years has led to better scoring in the big events.

Day made his major breakthrough in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits last year

"I think the bar's been raised ever since Tiger Woods came around," Day added. "It's very, very difficult to win golf tournaments. Golf is a very difficult game, on top of trying to manage all the mental part of the game, as well.

"Once again, the competition has got tougher. When I first came out in 2006, I remember some of the cut lines were plus one and plus two, and now most of the cut lines are under par. So it just goes to show how stiff the competition has got over the years that I've been out here.

"And then on top of it, the guys are just younger and stronger and fitter and faster, and they are just long out there. So just the competition is really, really tough right now. If you don't stay one step ahead of the young guys, it's easy to get left behind. So I'm kind of coming into my prime now, and I'm hoping to stay there for a while."