Day withdraws to be with ill mother

Defending champion Jason Day lasted only six holes at the World Golf Championships Match Play in Austin, Texas, until a heavy heart forced an early departure.

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth might not be far behind.

The opening round 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 5and-3 victory over Webb Simpson. McIlroy, the No. 2 seed, lost when Soren Kjeldsen finished with four straight birdies. It was the first time McIlroy lost his opening match since 2013 when Match Play was single elimination.

Hideto Tanihara never trailed in a 4-and-2 victory over Spieth.

Day said his mother, Dening, was diagnosed in Australia at the start of the year and told she had 12 months to live. He brought her to Ohio in the last month for more tests, hopeful that surgery would lead to a chance for a recovery.

“It’s really hard to even comprehend being on the golf course right now because of what she’s gone through,” Day said after taking a moment to clear his voice and wipe tears from his face. “I’m glad I brought her over here. And it’s been really hard to play golf lately this year. It’s been very, very emotional, as you can tell.”

Day’s father, Alvin, died of stomach cancer when he was 12.

California sophomore forward Ivan Rabb and Duke freshman forward Jayson Tatum each decided to enter the NBA draft.