Tiger Woods has given world No.1 Jason Day a glowing endorsement, claiming the Australian could be poised to play some of his best golf in his 30s.
Speaking at a press conference at the famed Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles ahead of February's Genesis Open, the 14-time major champion said he was impressed by the execution of Day's rise up the world rankings.
Jason Day is in top shape heading into his 30s, says Tiger Woods. Credit: Getty Images
"He's 29 right now and he's in good shape going into his 30s," said Woods, a former world No.1.
"He's been looking forward to and planning to get to this level of his game.
"He has an understanding of what he needs to do to win golf tournaments and major championships and to be consistent.
"Now he's just got to make fine improvements and continue with them."
Day, who turns 30 in November, has held golf's top spot since winning the WGC-Dell Match Play in March last year.
Despite a back injury forcing the Queenslander to withdraw from the final two events of the 2016 US PGA Tour season, Day bagged three victories, highlighted by a four-shot romp at the Players Championship.
He also enjoyed a solid title defence of his 2015 US PGA Championship - Day's first major victory - finishing runner-up to American Jimmy Walker at Baltusrol in July.
"Jason is obviously playing very well and consistently," Woods said.
"What he did last year was ... awesome. I mean, he played all the big events well."
The 41-year-old Woods made his return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December following 16 months on the sidelines recovering from back surgery.
The 79-time US PGA Tour winner will now embark on a string of four events in five weeks - starting at next week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where Woods has won eight times.
He will then fly to Dubai for the European tour's Desert Classic, go on to the Genesis Open at Riviera and then the Honda Classic in Florida the week after.
"It is a concern, there's no doubt about it," Woods said of the number of tournaments early in 2017.
"But I'm also looking forward to it. I've sat out for long enough and got my body into a pretty good state.
"I've played a lot. Been playing probably four or five times a week. I feel like I can handle that workload."
Woods said his off-season preparation had included looking towards the US Masters, where he has claimed four majors.
"I am backing myself to be ready for Augusta so I would love to play, and I would love to win it," he said.
"I've won it four times and I would love to win a fifth, so I am hoping that I can get everything right and if so, I will be looking forward to it."
AAP