Daily Times

MIAMI: An emotional Jason Day abruptly pulled out of his opening match at the World Golf Championship (WGC) Match Play on Wednesday to be with his mother, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is having surgery on Friday. “Hard to comprehend being on the golf course right now, with what she’s going through,” said a tearful Day, who struggled to maintain his composure as he met with reporters after conceding his match at the Austin Country Club. Day, who was three down to Pat Perez after six holes when he conceded, did not say how long he would be away from the game or whether he would be at the April 6-9 Masters. “As of now, I am going to be back with my mom,” said Day, who had tears streaming down his face. “It’s been a very, very hard time for me to be even thinking about playing golf.” Day, 29, said his mother, Adenil “Dening” Day, was given 12 months to live at the start of the year after being diagnosed in Australia. She is in the United States for treatment, and the golfer said the prognosis appears to be better. Day lost his father, Alvyn, to cancer when he was just 12 years old. “I’ve already gone through it once with my dad,” the Australian said. “And I know how it feels. And it’s hard enough to see another one go through it, as well.” He gave no timetable for his return to competition.