Emotional day for leaders at Match Play

Defending champion Jason Day lasted only six holes at the Dell Technologies Match Play until a heavy heart forced an early departure. He learned his mother was diagnosed with lung cancer.

AUSTIN, TEXAS >> Defending champion Jason Day lasted only six holes at the Dell Technologies Match Play until a heavy heart forced an early departure.

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth might not be far behind.

The opening round at the most unpredictable golf tournament took a stunning turn Wednesday when Day abruptly conceded his match to Pat Perez, and then revealed his mother has lung cancer, and he wanted to be home with her Friday when she has surgery.

Dustin Johnson had no trouble in his debut as the No. 1 seed in a 5-and-3 victory over Webb Simpson. McIlroy, the No. 2 seed, wasn’t so fortunate. He lost when Soren Kjeldsen finished with four straight birdies.

Hideto Tanihara never trailed in a 4-and-2 victory over Spieth. MICKELSON WILL NOT TESTIFY >> Phil Mickelson says he won’t be called as a witness in a federal insider trading criminal trial.

Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys have both described Mickelson as pivotal figure in the case against gambler William “Billy” Walters. Mickelson does not face criminal charges, but agreed to repay nearly $1 million he made on a 2012 stock trade.

The case is on trial in New York. Mickelson is playing this week at the Dell Technologies Match Play where he won his first-round match Wednesday. Mickelson said he’s not thinking about the trial and said he’s not a part of the case.

Mickelson said “I won’t be called” as a witness, but didn’t say how he knows that.

Although prosecutors and defense attorneys haven’t said Mickelson would be called to testify, the judge has hinted it could be possible.