Tour News

Jason Day forfeits match at WGC-Dell Match Play to be with cancer-stricken mother

Published

9 years ago

Mar 23, 2017

Jason Day pulled out of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas, to spend time with his mother, Dening Day, who has lung cancer. He forfeited to Pat Perez less than halfway through his opening match; Perez had taken a 3-up lead on Day after six holes.

Jason Day explains the reason behind conceding his match @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/XtYSiogt1r

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 22, 2017

Through tears, Day revealed to reporters that his mother was given 12 months to live after a mass of 3-4 centimeters was found in her lung in tests in Australia. Last week, Day flew her to the U.S. She will have surgery on Friday near Day’s home at the James Cancer Center at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in an attempt to remove the mass.

“The diagnosis is much better being over here,” Day said. “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 gone through. I’m glad I brought her over here. And it’s been really hard to play golf lately.”

Day is the defending champion of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play; he is currently the No. 3-ranked golfer in the world, as well as a favorite to win the Masters in two weeks. It’s family first at this time for the golfer, however, who lost his father to stomach cancer when he was 12.

“It’s been very, very emotional, as you can tell,” Day said. “I’ve already gone through it once with my dad. And I know how it feels. And it’s hard enough to see another one go through it, as well.”

Day did not indicate when he might return to competitive golf.

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17 Comments

Rich

Apr 2, 2017 at 5:11 am

Troll

Reply Report comment
golfraven

Mar 24, 2017 at 6:32 pm

I understand this is serious family matter but please we don’t need another Bubba.

Reply Report comment
Tom54

Mar 24, 2017 at 9:45 am

We all feel for what he’s going thru and wish him and his mother the best. My only concern is how the WDs have messed up this wacky round robin format. I say go back to the normal match play where you lose you’re out. Also agree with others who wonder why he was even there in the first place. Also knew Rose&Stenson were not playing but never heard that Fowler wasn’t there either

Reply Report comment
S Hiter

Mar 23, 2017 at 9:22 pm

I don’t get why he has to sit there in font of the whole world’s press corp and explain anything at all, dragging on and on about it, saying the same thing over and over so longwindedly. Poor fella. He should just be allowed to take off immediately and be with his mum, instead of having to pay back his sponsors and agents by having to sit up there behind the mics like this. We all know what the deal is, all the commentators of the world are going to be reporting it over and over. They can all speak on his behalf, instead of making him do these silly interviews

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D Smzzl

Mar 23, 2017 at 6:05 pm

cold

Reply Report comment
Fat Perez

Mar 23, 2017 at 5:54 pm

Strength to you and yours Jason for the road ahead. Family first.

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4right

Mar 23, 2017 at 2:11 pm

He seems to have his heart torn between the two loves of his life, his mom and golf… Like the saying goes “golf doesn’t build character, it reveals it”. And his charater is one of the best on tour… Best wishes to the Day family.

Reply Report comment
cgasucks

Mar 23, 2017 at 12:40 pm

I feel for Jason Day…I had to take care of my mom too when she got it and stayed with her until the very end…had a responsible job a the time and dropped everything to be with her. I don’t blame him for WD. He’s a very tough guy mentally and I know he’ll pull through it.

Reply Report comment
Blake

Mar 23, 2017 at 10:42 am

Shouldnt have even come. He should have just stayed home since he knew the surgery was on friday. I doubt he WDs if he wasn’t down 3 after 6 holes.

Reply Report comment
- Jam
  
  Mar 23, 2017 at 11:25 am
  
  Unfortunately I agree. All the best to his family, but why on earth did he tee it up. I feel bad for Tony Finau as well who didn’t defend his title in Puerto Rico because he was first alternate and standing by at the match play.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - BigKid
    
    Mar 23, 2017 at 1:08 pm
    
    He teed it up for a free $47k
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Rich
      
      Apr 2, 2017 at 5:10 am
      
      BigKid, you’re an idoiot. As if $47K is going to help him at all. That’s pocket change to him.
      
      Blake, what a crock. You think he gets to number one in the world by being a quitter. Dream on pal.
      
      Jam, he teed it up because he was defending champion. He deserves the right to try and defend even if he’s not sure if he’ll get there in the end. I’m sure Tony Finau will survive.
      
      Reply Report comment
- cgasucks
  
  Mar 23, 2017 at 12:41 pm
  
  I don’t blame him if he doesn’t play for the rest of the year.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Steve
  
  Mar 24, 2017 at 1:29 am
  
  I doubt he’s down 3 after 6 holes if he doesn’t have a heck of a lot more going on in his head than just the score…
  
  Reply Report comment
Bruce Ferguson

Mar 23, 2017 at 10:10 am

Been through this with both parents, too. Best wishes and prayers for you and your mom.

Reply Report comment
ACTUAL FACTS

Mar 23, 2017 at 10:01 am

Jason, your mother and family are in our prayers. Wishing your mother a healthy and speedy recovery.

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Mar 23, 2017 at 1:31 pm
  
  there’s the spirit.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

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The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.