Hurt Day’s Masters campaign under threat
JASON Day has defied crippling back pain to be in contention at Augusta National but his Masters campaign is in mortal danger.
The former world No.1 somehow posted a two-underpar 70 on day one and sits only four shots from the lead despite aggravating his chronic back injury and needing medical treatment just five shots into his round.
He was not certain to tee up in the second round, but those close to him are confident he would.
After a bogey on the par-4 first, Day complained of discomfort after his drive on the par-5 second and was massaged by his Canadian chiropractor, Dr Stuart Love.
However, he continued playing, moments later hitting a 278-yard second shot in the par-5 green and two-putting for a birdie.
Day walked slowly and winced over every shot while mixing three more birdies with a bogey.
Remarkably, he is in contention with first-round leaders Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Keopka (66) four shots ahead at six under.
The 31-year-old’s management told officials he would not speak with media but confirmed Day aggravated his ongoing back injury when he leant down to kiss daughter Lucy on Augusta’s practice putting green before the opening round.
He withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, citing an annular tear in a disc in his back that required him to have four cortisone injections around his spine.
He was a final-round chance to win at the Players Championship the following week and tied for eighth but missed the cut at the Valspar Championship a week later and failed to advance from the group stage at the WGCMatch Play.
Cameron Smith and Adam Scott are hoping their fellow Australian is OK and will be healthy enough to finish the 83rd Masters tournament.