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Friday, March 24, 2017
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An emotional Jason Day speaks with the press after withdrawing from Round 1 of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play on Wednesday, March 22, to be with his cancer-stricken mother. AFP
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AUSTIN, Texas – Australian star Jason Day made a tearful withdrawal Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) from the World Golf Championship-Dell Match Play to be with his cancer-stricken mother.
Day, the defending champion, broke down in tears after pulling out 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.
The 29-year-old half-Filipino said he was pulling out to be with his mother, the Philippine-born Dening Day, who is facing surgery on Friday 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.
“It’s been really hard to play golf. It has been very, very emotional as you can tell,” added Day, whose father Alvin died of cancer in 1999 when the golfer was 11.
“I’ve already gone through it once with my dad and I know how it feels. It’s hard enough to see another one go through it as well. As of now I’m going to try and be with my mum for this surgery and make sure everything goes right with her.
“It’s been a very, very hard time for me to be even thinking about playing golf. It’s been weighing on me emotionally for a while.
“And although my mum says not to let it get to me, it clearly has. I just need some time away with her to make sure everything goes well because she’s the reason that I’m playing golf today. Family’s first.”
Day was in Group 3 with fellow Aussie Marc Leishman, who opened with a 3-and-2 win 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 on Saturday morning. (AFP)
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