British Open 2013: Jason Day confident of his chances despite inexperience on Muirfield course

Jason Day is optimistic his major championships breakthrough is just around the corner, possibly even at this week's British Open.

While confident about the tournament in Scotland, the 25-year-old Australian will have to overcome his relative inexperience in links golf on a challenging Muirfield course.

Day heads into the event, starting on Thursday, on the back of the third major championships runner-up finish in his fledgling career at last month's US Open.

He was also second at the US Open and US Masters in 2011 and also third behind Adam Scott at Augusta this year when he led late in the piece.

But rather than dwell on the frustration of coming up short, Day is focusing on the obvious upside of contending so regularly at a young age as he enters the British Open as the only player to have finished in the top 10 of the season's first two majors.

"If you start looking at it negatively, you'll go backwards," he said.

"It's all a learning curve and you've just got to move forward and see what you can improve on.

"I think the more times you put yourself there, the more comfortable you feel and the nerves aren't as big as they were the first time you were there, so it's just experience."
Take inspiration from Adam Scott

If he had any doubt, Day only needs to look at the example of compatriot Scott who, undaunted by his late collapse to be runner-up at last year's British Open, went on to win the Masters.

Many good judges consider it a matter of when and not if Day will win a major and, with time well and truly on his side, he shares the belief.

"You've just got to keep putting yourself in the position to win," he said.

"The more times you have the opportunity at winning a major, sooner or later you're going to pop one off.

"Hopefully I can do that this week, that'd be nice."
Day not short of confidence

Day will contest only his third British Open when he tees off alongside German Martin Kaymer and English amateur Garrick Porteous.

He skipped last year's event due to the birth of his first child but while Day may be short on experience in links golf, with its often unpredictable bounces, he isn't lacking in belief or enthusiasm.

"I'm really looking forward to this week, I'm pumped," said Day, who practiced with Tiger Woods on Sunday before a solo round yesterday.

"I like links golf, even though I've only played a couple of years.

"I just need to prepare well and I think if I can get a really solid game plan down and know exactly what I'm hitting off each tee and that I'm comfortable to commit to the shots, I can have a good week."

Day will get a chance to ease himself into the tournament in calmer morning conditions on Thursday while Scott has been handed an afternoon tee time on day one alongside Luke Donald and Matt Kuchar.

Australian veteran Peter Senior will lead off the field in the 142nd British Open, drawn in the opening morning group while major rookie Stephen Dartnall is in the last group on day one.