[Photo: Getty images]

Jason Day will have to wait until 2025 to chase a second career major title after the former world No.1 signed off on the Open Championship in solid, but winless, fashion.

Day carded a 68 on Sunday at Royal Troon to improve three strokes to finish the championship at one-under-par, one day after a 76 in brutal conditions. Adam Scott (71, even-par 284) was the top Australian while Day was T13 a shot back.

Day finished 10 shots behind Xander Schauffele, whose brilliant 65 earned him a two-shot win at nine-under (275) from Justin Rose (67) and Billy Horschel (68). Schauffele won his second major for the year and overall having triumphed at the PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Chasing an elusive second major to go with his 2015 PGA Championship title, Day was without a top-25 in the big dances this year until Royal Troon. The 13-time PGA Tour winner’s results this year included a T30 at the Masters, T43 at the PGA Championship and a missed cut at the US Open at Pinehurst.

At Royal Troon, Day was in contention for the first two days but lamented playing poorly in the third round – in brutal wind and rain – for holding ruining his chances.

“Definitely pleasing after yesterday; the rain came down and we got some wind,” Day said. “It was just unreal. [On Friday], I hit 4-iron, gap wedge on No.18, and [Saturday in a headwind] I hit driver, 7-wood. It was just unbelievable the difference in clubs. Some holes I couldn’t even get to. We were struggling to get to the fairway on 18.

“It was just a little unfortunate with the weather. But to be honest, I could have played better, too, because [Xander] Schauffele, he went out there and played great. Schauffele shot an even-par round in that same weather. I just didn’t putt as well as I’d hoped to yesterday and didn’t score well. I played good but didn’t score well.”

Still, Day soaked up the walked up the 72nd hole at the Ayrshire links surrounded by the enormous grandstands to cap a respectable Open performance. One that backed up his T2 at Royal Liverpool last year, a career-best in the UK major.

“Oh, it was beautiful,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to do that on the 18th in front of everyone. I enjoyed the week. Troon is a serious test of golf. I always love coming and playing the Open Championship. It’s a thrill.”

The 36-year-old Queenslander said he would return to his home base of Columbus, Ohio to spend a week with family before heading back to Europe to line up for the Australian men’s golf team at the Olympics in Paris.

He will join Min Woo Lee on the men’s side, both on debut. For the women’s team, major winners Minjee Lee and Hannah Green will line up again after wearing the green and gold in Tokyo in 2021.

FINAL AUSTRALIAN/NEW ZEALAND SCORES

T10 Adam Scott E
T13 Jason Day +1
T15 Daniel Hillier (NZ) +3
T25 Ryan Fox (NZ) +5
MC Kazuma Kobori (NZ) +7
MC Min Woo Lee +9
MC Elvis Smylie +9
MC Michael Hendry +10
MC Jasper Stubbs (a) +10
MC Cameron Smith +12