Jason Day withdraws from event, reveals his mother is battling lung cancer

Published Mar. 22, 2017 5:22 p.m. ET

Nick Schwartz

Defending WGC match play champion Jason Day withdrew from the event Wednesday just six holes into his opening match against Pat Perez. While many viewers initially thought Day may have suffered another injury to cause him to walk off the course, Day revealed some heartbreaking family news. His mother, Dening, is suffering from lung cancer and will undergo surgery Friday.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/844657987897610240

“She’s going into 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.

She had all the tests done in Australia, and the doc said she was terminal and only had 12 months to live. I’m glad I brought her over here because of it.

It’s been really hard to play golf lately and this year. It’s been very, very emotional, as you can tell. I’ve already gone through it once with my dad. I know how it feels, and it’s hard enough to see another one go through it as well. As of now, I’m going to try and be back there with my mom for surgery and make sure everything goes right with her.”