Australian world No.1 Jason Day embarks on his first major title defence in the 98th PGA Championship.

Day is chasing his second major title and first since breaking his duck at Whistling Straits last year, with the 2016 event moving to historic Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey.

Day heads a nine-strong Australian contingent, also featuring Adam Scott and Marc Leishman.

Aaron Baddeley also earns a start after breaking a five-year PGA Tour winning drought this month, with Greg Chalmers, Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend, Matt Jones and John Senden also lining up.

American big guns Dustin Johnson, Jordan Speith and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy loom as Day’s biggest title threats, while Swede Henrik Stenson will look to build on his breakthrough major win at the British Open.

Phil Mickelson also returned to form at The Open and has history on his side in the year’s final major, having won the PGA Championship last time it was held at Baltusrol in 2005.

The course, built in 1895, has hosted eight major tournaments with all but one won by an American.

The PGA Championship is being held from July 28-31, two weeks earlier than normal, to accommodate for golf’s return tot he Olympic program in Rio.