Jason Day in first round lead but misses out on elusive 59

Jason Day missed out on becoming only the seventh player in PGA Tour history to shoot a 59 when he completed his first round at the BMW Championship in Chicago on Friday.

The US PGA champion from Australia needed to hole out from 44 yards for eagle at the ninth, his final hole, at Conway Farms but pitched to nine feet before missing a birdie putt to sign for a 61.

The 27-year-old still holds a four-shot lead over Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth, who also completed his opening round on Friday after Thursday's play was disrupted by inclement weather. Spieth shared second place on 65 with fellow American Daniel Berger.

Talking on Thursday night Day said: “If it goes in, it goes in - right now I’m just trying to play the best I can. I’m just trying to get off to a good start.

“I feel like this is one of the best rounds I’ve ever played, especially with how the wind is.”