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LEADERBOARD: Follow the latest scores and updates from Royal Queensland

The Australian trio all tee off at the same time (6.10am) and speaking to foxsports.com.au ahead of his return to Royal Queensland, Lee said he feels like his game is “very close” to being back in contention again.

“Once aspect of the game I needed to get better at was my approach play and the last few months have kind of proven that the work my team has done has got there,” he said.

“Because I’m hitting it better, converting doesn’t seem as converting because I used to miss a lot of greens and make a lot of up and downs.

“But now I’m hitting greens, you’re obviously not going to hole every putt, but hopefully I can hit it closer and hole some putts.”

Day, meanwhile, said on Wednesday that his recent resurgence has lit a fire inside him to chase a second major in 2025, a decade after the Australian smashed through the barrier at the PGA Championship.

Day won seven PGA Tour titles in 17 starts across 2015 and 2016. At the time, some predicted the next Tiger Woods may have arrived.

But since capturing his maiden major at Whistling Straits in 2015 he has failed to again taste success at golf’s four biggest events, with back injuries severely hampering his career.

ULTIMATE GUIDE: When the big guns tee off and who the favourite is

The 37-year-old enjoyed a resurgence in 2023, fuelled by swing changes designed to relieve pressure on his lower back.

Day won his 13th PGA Tour title and at last year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool tied for second.

He has posted four top-10s on the PGA Tour this year and said at Royal Queensland in Brisbane ahead of the Australian PGA Championship.

“I feel good about my game,” the former world number one said.

“A goal (for 2025) is to try and win a major and another goal is to win an elevated (PGA Tour) event.

“The goal for me has always been trying to win all four (majors). I know I definitely have the game to win majors.”

It is Day’s first appearance in his homeland since 2017.

Elsewhere, Smith knows time is running out to bag a first victory of 2024 and the major champion is hungry to get it done in his hometown of Brisbane at this week’s Australian PGA Championship.