Jason Day feeling fit and healthy after vertigo attack at US Open
Last Updated: 16/07/15 5:51pm
Jason Day insisted he has put his health problems firmly behind him after opening the 144th Open at St Andrews with a flawless six-under 66.
Day was in contention at the US Open last month despite collapsing on the final hole of his second round following an attack of vertigo, and he has not played competitively since his scare at Chambers Bay.
But after upstaging playing partners Tiger Woods and Louis Oosthuizen at the Old Course, the Australian declared himself fit and ready to challenge for a long-awaited maiden major title.
"I should just stay healthy so I don't have to answer these questions any more," joked the 27-year-old, who made three birdies on each nine to lie just a shot behind leader Dustin Johnson.
"No, I feel good. I'm not thinking about falling over on my face again. I'm not worrying about it and I feel healthy, and I'm good to go."
Day shared the lead after a third-round 68 at Chambers Bay and went on to finish ninth, despite almost pulling out on several occasions, and he was diagnosed as suffering from Benign Positional Vertigo caused by an infection which had attacked and damaged nerves in his ear.
"If it was the first time that I ever had it at the US Open then I'd be kind of scared coming out here knowing maybe it's going to come back," added Day, who is now on anti-viral medication. "But speaking with my docs and being on this medicine that I'm on right now definitely helps.
"I know if I have it, it takes a couple days to get rid of. Obviously it's not great to have it in tournaments, but if it comes, it comes. I can't really control it. That's the unfortunate thing."
In a repeat of the US Open, Day found himself high on the leaderboard with the likes of Jordan Spieth and Johnson, adding: "That's amazing, isn't it? Bloody hell, they just won't go away!
"It's good to see because it's good for the game of golf, Dustin Johnson playing well, Jordan Spieth. The only person we're missing is Rory [McIlroy]. It's unfortunate to see him out right now, but hopefully he has a speedy recovery."
