The 13-time PGA Tour winner, Jason Day, is a well-known name in the golf world. While his glory on the course is something we all know, what’s less known is the journey he’s been on and the people who’ve supported him along the way. Born in Beaudesert, Queensland, Day grew up in a family with deep cultural roots—his dad, Alvin, was Irish Australian, and his mom, Dening, came to Australia from the Philippines in the early ’80s. He’s the youngest of three kids, with two sisters, Yanna and Kim.

Day’s love for golf started early, thanks to his dad, who signed him up as a junior member at Beaudesert Golf Club right after his sixth birthday. Back then, he was only allowed to play six holes a day, but it was enough to spark a passion. By eight, the family had moved to Rockhampton, and Day was already winning local tournaments. Sadly, life took a tough turn when his dad passed away from stomach cancer when Day was just 12.

After his dad’s death, his mom stepped in to keep Day’s dreams alive. She sent him to Kooralbyn International School, which conveniently had a golf course attached. Later, he moved to Hills International College, known for its golf academy, after Kooralbyn closed. His coach during that, Col Swatton, was there every step of the way. It was around this time that Day borrowed a book about Tiger Woods from a roommate, and that’s what fueled him to pursue the career with all his might.

On the course, Day’s career has been full of highlights, but his personal life has had its share of heartbreaks. In March 2022, his mom, Dening, passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. She was originally given just a year to live back in 2017 but defied the odds, making it five. Losing her was a huge blow for Day, but he found comfort in the golf community. During the Valspar Championship that year, he shared, “I’m OK. I’m doing all right. I’ll tell you what, if I was at home, I’d probably struggle even more. It’s nice to be out here with everyone, and I’ve had a lot of love from the guys.”

Dening’s strength and sacrifices shaped Day’s life in so many ways. Even though she’s no longer with him, her influence is still a huge part of who he is. And through it all, Jason has also had the support of his wife, Ellie Harvey, who’s been by his side during life’s highest highs and lowest lows.

Who is Ellie Harvey?

If you’ve followed Jason Day’s career, you know that 2015 and 2016 were his golden years. He wasn’t just winning—he was dominating. In that stretch, Day racked up eight PGA Tour titles, climbed to world number one, and collected trophies at some of golf’s most prestigious events. We’re talking about wins like the PGA Championship, the Players Championship, a World Golf Championship, and even two FedEx Cup playoff titles. It wasn’t just how often he won; it was how big the wins were.

But like every athlete, Day’s journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Consistency became a real challenge, thanks to ongoing back issues that forced him to pull out of several tournaments. Through it all, though, one person stayed rock-solid by his side: his wife, Ellie.

Day met Ellie when he was just 17. She was working as a waitress in a restaurant in Ohio, and the two hit it off. They started dating about a year later and tied the knot in 2009. Fast forward to today, and they’re raising four kids together—a son, Dash; a daughter, Lucy; and two younger boys, Arrow, born in 2018, and Ozzie, born in 2021.

Day’s life off the course is all about the love and support of his family, but his success on the course owes a lot to his coach as well, a steady presence who’s been key to his comeback.

Who is Jason Day’s Coach?

When it comes to golf, Day’s skills speak for themselves—but sharpening those swings didn’t happen on their own. A lot of credit goes to his coach, Chris Como, who came into the picture in 2020 after what Day describes as a chance meeting. “I remember coming out of that meeting with Chris and thinking, ‘There’s something about Chris’,” Day shared. (via bunkered). “He’s very quiet, listens very intently, but you could tell that he knew a lot about the game and knew it at a deeper level. There was just something about him that drew me to him, so I just knew when I talked to him about the golf swing that he was very switched on.”

Como isn’t just any coach—he’s one of the most respected teachers in the game. His list of athletes includes some of golf’s biggest names, like Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau, Trevor Immelman, and even Xander Schauffele, whom he helped rise to major champion status.

Since teaming up with Como, Day has completely reworked his swing, climbed back up the world rankings, and ended a five-year title drought by winning his first PGA Tour event in 2023. It’s been a career resurgence, to say the least.

Before Como, Day spent 20 years working with his longtime coach, Swatton. While their partnership brought plenty of success, they decided to part ways in 2020.

It’s clear that it takes a team to build a champion, and Jason Day’s journey is a perfect example. From his family to his coaches, each pillar in his life has played a part in shaping his incredible story. Kudos to the people who’ve been there for him every step of the way.