Matt Jones and Jason Day give Saturday’s final pairing a distinct Aussie flavor

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — Round 3 at the PGA Championship  should make for some good Saturday afternoon TV for American fans.

It should make for even better Sunday morning watching around the world in Australia.

That’s because two Aussies — Matt Jones and Jason Day — will form the day’s final pairing at Whistling Straits. 

Jones took sole possession of the lead at -11 when second-round play resumed at Whistling Straits early Saturday morning. Jones started with a birdie on the 13th hole and then finished with a birdie on 18. The 35-year-old has been a grinder over his career. He has one tour victory to his name, a win at last year’s Houston Open. 

Day, meanwhile, has knocked at the door at several majors but has yet to finish. The 27-year-old currently sits at -9, recording birdie on No. 16 early Saturday before finishing with bogey on No. 18. 

Both men were asked about each other and their Aussie ties. Because Jones attended college at Arizona States, they didn’t meet until they started playing golf together in North America. 

Day said that he and Jones were “good mates” but couldn’t remember the last time they’d played.

Jones was also complimentary of Day. 

“I’ve known Jason probably since 2005 or 2006 whenever we were on the with WEB.COM together,” Jones said. “Jason is a great guy, very nice guy. We haven’t done a lot together. We see each other at the golf course, that’s about it. But he’s an awesome guy. He’s a very good Australian guy.”

If either wins, they will join four other Australians who have won the PGA Championship: Jim Ferrier (1947), David Graham (1979), Wayne Grady (1990) and Steve Elkington (1995). 

Both Jones and Day will have plenty of competition. Justin Rose is the highest major winner on the board at -8 while Jordan Spieth sits five shots back of Jones at -6. While many of the leaders had to resume play early Saturday morning, Spieth completed his second round before Friday’s bad weather and will have the advantage of a full night’s rest. 

For now, Jones said he’s going to enjoy the view from up top. 

“For me, it’s amazing to be in the lead at a major,” Jones said. “I’ve been in the lead on a Tour event, but a major’s a different story. But I’m going to have fun with it, and I’m pretty relaxed on the golf course. I’m sure I’ll be nervous on the first tee, but playing with Jason will be great.”

Here are the times for all pairings -4 or better (time listed in CT)
1:27: Martin Kaymer (-4), Branden Grace (-4)
1:36: Paul Casey (-4), Hunter Mahan (-4)
1:45: Charles Howell III (-4), Matt Kuchar (-4)
1:54: Marcel Siem (-4), Hideki Matsuyama (-4)
2:03: Hiroshi Iwata (-4), Billy Horschel (-4)
2:12: Dustin Johnson (-5), J.B. Holmes (-5)
2:21: Russell Henley (-5), Harris English (-5)
2:30: Brendan Steele (-6), George Coetzee (-5)
2:39: Jordan Spieth (-6), Scott Piercy (-6)
2:48: Tony Finau (-7), Anirban Lahiri (-7)
2:57: Justin Rose (-8), David Lingmerth (-7)
3:06: Matt Jones (-11), Jason Day (-9)

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Kevin Kaduk is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!Follow @KevinKaduk