Day and Spieth show generation extraordinary is now upon us

US TOUR:THE JOKE on tour is that they're going to have to set up X-Boxes and PlayStations in the locker-room, except that this past weekend's events on both the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour in the United States would provide evidence that players are getting younger and younger.

While Jason Day, a 22-year-old Australian, won the Byron Nelson Classic for his breakthrough victory, the efforts of two teenagers meant he had to share some of the spotlight.

Jordan Spieth, the reigning US Junior Amateur champion, finished in tied-17th place. The significance of that? He is just 16 years of age. And, on the Nationwide Tour, another 16-year-old – Grayson Murray – made the cut in Rex Hospital Open.

So, it would seem, players on tour are getting younger and younger; and players who were running around in nappies when Tiger Woods won his first major, the US Masters in 1997, are bringing their game to the big stage.

Spieth, indeed, has been given a sponsor’s invite to play again on the PGA Tour (as an amateur) in three weeks’ time at the St Jude Classic in Memphis.

If it would seem that a star was born with Spieth successfully making the cut, Day’s success provided confirmation of his talent, which first surfaced on the Nationwide Tour three years ago when he became the youngest ever winner on the circuit when 19.

“I’m not looking just to win one tournament, I really want to go ahead and win many more,” said Day after his two-stroke win over Blake Adams, Jeff Overton and Brian Gay, which was achieved despite finding water on the 72nd hole.

Day has been dogged by ill health for much of the season – with diagnosis ranging from swine ’flu and bronchitis to a sinus problems – and had considered withdrawing last Thursday morning.

He wound up tied for the lead after the first round, and finished the job on Sunday for a breakthrough win which, following up on Rory McIlroy’s win at Quail Hollow, provided evidence that a new generation of champion has evolved.