Nicklaus surprised at Day's record at home

Jack Nicklaus admits he is surprised former world No.1 Jason Day has had little success at the Memorial Tournament but insists the Ohio-based Australian isn't far off winning at Muirfield Village.

The Nicklaus-hosted US PGA Tour event has not yielded much success for world No.8 Day, despite having a membership at Muirfield Village.

The father of two, originally from Beaudesert in Queensland, has established himself in nearby Columbus - where he met wife Ellie.

But his tie for 15th last year was Day's first top 25 result in nine appearances at Memorial.

Eighteen-time major champion Nicklaus was unable to offer an explanation but conceded it was puzzling why the 12-time US Tour winner hasn't regularly threatened the leaderboard at his home event.

"Well, a little, I suppose," Nicklaus said when asked if he was surprised.

"Some (golfers) are really good playing at home, some guys aren't."

With two US Tour twins already this year, in addition to a runner-up at Pebble Beach and a fifth placing at the recent Players Championship, 78-year-old Nicklaus believes Day's Muirfield Village breakthrough is imminent.

"I really believe Jason will play well here one of these years pretty soon and will probably have a run of quite a few years of playing well," Nicklaus said.

"He's a very good player. He obviously knows the golf course as well as anybody and he's playing well right now.

"I would love to see Jason play well here."

Day will tee up alongside fellow former world No.1s Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.

Joining him in the elite field are fellow Australians Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, veterans Rod Pampling and John Senden, as well as last week's Web.com Tour winner Cameron Davis.