Jason Day wins at Torrey Pines

• Jason Day claims only his third PGA Tour win at Torrey Pines
• “I’ve never been more motivated to play well than right now”
• Scot Martin Laird records third consecutive top 15 finish

Jason Day claimed only his third career PGA Tour victory with a birdie on the second play-off hole against American J.B. Holmes.

The Australian, 27, shot two-under on the final day of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines to finish on nine-under, forcing a four-way play-off with Holmes, Harris English and Scott Stallings.

Jason Day and Holmes both birdied the par-5 18th, eliminating English and Stallings who could only manage pars, before Day recorded another birdie on the par-4 16th to ensure his first win on the Tour this season.

Speaking after his win, which he hopes can propel him towards a successful 2015 after an injury-plagued 2014, Jason Day said: “I’ve never been more motivated to play well than right now, this year. The other years I was motivated, but I really want to kick butt this year.

“Back in the day I would have gone, OK, I’m kind of happy with second place. And being able to get up and say, no, I’m not happy with second place, I want to win. That’s the first step to really moving forward.”

Runner-up J.B. Holmes, who looked to be the most likely winner heading into the closing holes, tweeted:

It was another strong finish for Scot Martin Laird who finished tied for seventh, his second consecutive top ten finish, with his lowest position in 2015 tied for 15th at the Humana Challenge.

Afterwards, the 32-year-old spoke to Sky Sports and said: “I’m back enjoying my golf. It’s a lot of fun to be able to hit the shots I want to hit and make some putts like I did on 18. Last year it seemed like I couldn’t get anything going but I’ve got a little bit of momentum right now and I’m loving being out here.

“I’m turning up to tournaments feeling like I can maybe win or at least be in the mix which I have been the last three weeks in a row. Being in contention is fun and hopefully I can keep it going.”

Jason Day wins the Farmers Insurance Open :: Your thoughts

Australian Jason Day has runner-up finishes in the Masters and twice in the US Open. Can he go one better and win a major in 2015?