Jason Day blames Donald Trump for his late Open arrival

Jason Day is blaming United States President Donald Trump for his late arrival to Royal Birkdale ahead of this week's Open Championship.

Day, 29, typically pitches up a week earlier for major tournaments to allow himself time to adjust to the course and the conditions.

Only this time he arrived on Monday - all down to Trump coming back through New York from the US Women's Open at the Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey.

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"I had three weeks off before this, so I could have got in early," said Day, who has fallen from world number one back to sixth following a lacklustre 2017 season.

"I was supposed to come in on Sunday, and I was flying through JFK, and President Trump was there and there was a bunch of delays. So I just decided to move my flight back a little bit later."

The Australian explained it was not the first time he has been delayed by a US President.

"President Obama held me up one time flying out of Palm Springs," he said. "So I understand. It is what it is. So it was massive delays."

Day did admit, however, his lack of tournament preparation this week could play in his favour.

"Usually I get in here to places like this early," said Day. "I usually get in Thursday or Friday and play a couple of practice rounds. I did it this year at Augusta and I was just truly knackered by the time I started Thursday.

"This week has felt a lot quicker to me. And I got some work in before I came in here. I think all in all I feel pretty ready and fresh going into the first round."

Day has struggled to find any real form this season and comes into the Open off the back of two consecutive missed cuts.