Jason Day credits 'mentorship' from Tiger Woods for success

NORTON, Mass. -- Jason Day claimed his first major championship title last month. He's won three of his last four starts, including last week's Barclays, and he has a chance to become No. 1 in the world for the first time at the upcoming Deutsche Bank Championship.

He credits this success in part to a burgeoning friendship with a certain well-known golfer.

Some guy named Tiger Woods.

"It's just random things," Day said of Woods' frequent text messages. "We'll be talking about finishing on Sundays and the process of stuff. His text messages, I have to digest them a little bit more, because he is very smart. And he has to kind of dumb it down to my level."

Day and Woods have played multiple practice rounds together this year, and while their relationship extends beyond the confines of the golf course, their correspondences usually stick to the subject.

"We talk about family every now and then, but it's mainly just golf -- just trying to shoot to get better," continued Day. "If I think of a question, I'll just shoot it to him. I may hear it that day or I may hear in a day or two. ...

"He's been arguably one of the best players of all time. Who wouldn't want that mentorship from a player like that, especially on the golf course? To be able to receive text messages and ask him questions and him being so open toward me has been fantastic."

Despite his recent run of success, Day insisted that the advice offered between them is always a one-way street.

"No, I really don't," he answered when asked about that. "All we do is talk about golf. ... I don't know what he's doing at home, but he must be busy trying to practice and get ready for upcoming tournaments."