The Barclays 2015: Jason Day withdraws from pro-am with back injury, but expects to play opening round against Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson
Australian golfer Jason Day was pulled out of the pro-am at the Barclays due to a back injury, but the PGA Champion hopes a day of rest would let him tee off in the first event of the US PGA Tour play-offs. Day has a history of injuries that include to his back and hand, and suffered vertigo symptoms during this year’s US Open.
Day’s physiotherapist and trainer Cornel Driessen told the PGA Tour’s website that the Aussie golfer “tweaked” his back while moving an item under his motor coach. Driessen also confirmed that Day’s withdrawal from pro-am at Plainfield Country Cub was because of a long-standing disc issue, reports ESPN.
Day, who is seeded at No. 2 in the FedEx Cup, is scheduled to tee off on Thursday night in The Barclays, which has a prize money of US$8.25 million (AU$11.5 million). He will play the opening round with Masters and US champion Jordan Spieth, and two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson. Day is trying to chase Spieth in the US play-offs after beating the latter earlier this month in a record-breaking victory to claim the US PGA Championship.
Meanwhile, American golfer Dustin Johnson also withdrew from The Barclays pro-am mid-way through his round due to chest congestion. Johnson also hopes to play in the opening round on Thursday against fellow American Patrick Reed and Kiwi golfer Danny Lee, reports ABC.
A spokesman for Johnson said in a statement that the golfer has been battling severe chest congestion since last week. Johnson, who won The Barclays in 2011, was replaced in the pro-am by Canadian golfer David Hearn.
"After playing seven holes today, it became evident that he needed to leave the course and get as much rest as possible before tomorrow's opening round," the spokesman said, reports Reuters. "He is now under a doctor's care, in hopes of a speedy recovery.”
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.
