SPRINGFIELD, New Jersey: Jason Day is determined not to give up the Wanamaker trophy or his world No.1 status at the US PGA Championship.
With American Dustin Johnson edging closer to Day at the top of the rankings, the Australian's 18 straight weeks as the world's best goes on the line at Baltusrol on Thursday.
More Sport Videos
Plays of the Week
From flying timber to toe pokes, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sport world this week.
Day claimed his first and so far only major at last year's tournament at Whistling Straits in record fashion and wants to repeat the effort.
But with Monday's temperatures edging towards the 35 degree mark, and similar heat expected through to Thursday's opening round, Day decided to recharge his batteries after back-to-back weeks at the British and Canadian Opens.
![Rest and recover: Jason Day is looking to defend his PGA Championship title.](/web/20160729204710im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/d/n/3/w/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gqdmxr.png/1469486233098.jpg)
Although he sat out a practice round on Monday at a course he's yet to see, Day remains confident the rest will do wonders.
The Queenslander rarely plays three weeks in a row, a necessity here this season due to the packed schedule.
In the lone time in 2015 Day played in three consecutive weeks, at the BMW Championship, Tour Championship and Presidents Cup, his energy dipped and he only managed a 0-4-1 record.
"It takes it out of you more when you're playing terrible because you are thinking about it," Day said.
"But I have been trying to rest and recover as best I can over the last two weeks and I know I'll be fresh and ready to practice Tuesday and Wednesday.
"I know it is going to be really hot so I need to slowly ease my way into it after the last two days in Canada were confidence-building."
Day admitted his world no.1 status is one of great pride, and one he doesn't plan on giving up easily.
"It is added motivation for sure. Obviously I want to keep the world no.1 spot but I can't focus on it too much," he said.
"The biggest thing for me is to focus on what I need to do to play well. I can't attach myself to the thought of keeping it, I have to focus on trying to prepare the best I can and execute and play well.
Day leads a nine strong Australian tilt with Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend, Matt Jones, Marc Leishman and John Senden also in the field.
AAP