TEARFUL DAY WITHDRAWS
Australian wants to spend time with cancer-stricken mother
MIAMI Play to be with his cancer-stricken mother while Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth lost their openers.
Day, the defending champion, broke down in tears in Austin, Texas, after withdrawing from his first round match against American Pat Perez after only six holes at Austin Country Club before later revealing the personal anguish that led to his concession.
World No 2 McIlroy, seeking his second title in three seasons, lost 2 and 1 to Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara downed fifth-seeded Speith 4 and 2, while top-ranked Dustin Johnson downed fellow American Webb Simpson 5 and 3.
The defeats do not end the title hopes for McIlroy and Spieth thanks to group-stage play conducted through today instead of the typical match-play bracket format.
Day, 29, said he was pulling out to be with his mother, Dening Day, who is facing surgery today to remove a cancerous growth from her lungs.
“She’s going in for surgery this Friday and it’s really hard to even comprehend being on the golf course right now because of what she’s going through,” Day told reporters through tears.
Day was in Group Three with fellow Aussie Marc Leishman, who opened with a 3-and-2 victory over England’s Lee Westwood.
This marks the third year of group play to open the event, ensuring top names no longer risk being ousted on day one. Knockout play opens with 16 group winners tomorrow.
McIlroy was 1 up with five holes remaining after three birdies in a row to win holes but Kjeldsen made four consecutive birdies to seize the victory, his last three approaches landing within four feet of the cup.
“I played well,” McIlroy said. “If I had played anyone else, I might have won. Soren played great. I think I have to give him credit. He played really, really well from the first hole.”
Tanihara, making his debut in the event, sank a 15-foot birdie putt to go 1-up after seven holes, then won the 10th by sinking his approach and took three of the next holes to seal the victory over Spieth, who couldn’t manage a birdie past the first hole.
“I was looking forward to playing,” Tanihara said.
“I knew if I brought my ‘A’ game, I could probably compete against him.
“I wanted to see how a top player would play and I was just looking forward the whole day.
“Trying to win the whole tournament, you have to go through tough guys. So just happy to get this win.” AFP