Jason Day confirms Augusta asked him to remove Malbon jumper

Jason Day has confirmed social media rumours that Augusta National Golf Club asked him to remove his striking sweater vest on Friday.

The Aussie returned to complete his first round early on Friday morning in a jumper emblazoned with the logo of his new apparel sponsor Malbon.

However, when he re-emerged later in the day for his second round, the garment was conspicuous by its absence.

That prompted speculation that he had been asked to remove it by the club and, speaking following his third round, the former world No.1 confirmed that was indeed the case.

“Respectfully, you do that because it’s all about the tournament here, and I understand that,” he said. “I respect the tournament. That’s what we’re here to do is try and play and win the green jacket.”

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It had been suggested that Day’s outfit was flirting with endorsement rules. The PGA Tour, for example, has a Player Endorsement Policy, which stipulates that all logos must conform to a set of specific terms and conditions, including size, location and quantity.

Part of those conditions states: “A mark (other than a mark on a golf bag) may not exceed three by five inches (3”x5”).”

However, it’s unclear whether The Masters operates the same rules.

Day told bunkered.co.uk that he was unsure why he had been asked to remove the top.

“I didn’t ask,” he added. “They said, can you take it off? I said, yeah, no worries.”

Day, who signed with Malbon in January, has drawn a lot of attention so far this season for the bold designs of his outfits, particularly the baggy fit of his trousers.

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“If it’s down breeze, these things puff up pretty quick,” he laughed. “But Tiger had baggier stuff on in the early 2000s. He did pretty good. I think it’s fine.”

But back to golf.

Day carded a four-over 76 to slip well out of contention for a second major and first green jacket after dropping three shots in his last two holes.

“I actually played really good pretty much the whole day except for 17 and 18. It was just a little bit of a disappointing finish.

“I wanted to kind of come out and get something under par, kind of get myself back in. I honestly don’t see it going too [deep]. I mean, I know Scottie’s playing some good golf, but it’s getting very difficult out there. I don’t see it going too far from where it is now.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor