Jason Day was 3-up with four holes to play, an ideal start to the World Golf Championship Dell Match Play that included five birdies and hardly any stress.
However, then he felt his back tighten on a tee shot at the 15th hole.
It stung so badly on his next tee shot that Day grabbed his back and winced. He stepped gingerly into a bunker. When his short-par was conceded, he took a knee.
Photo: AP
Exactly what happened was not entirely clear, because Day immediately sought treatment and left without speaking to reporters.
With a long week ahead of him at Austin Country Club, and the Masters just two weeks away, this victory surely felt hollow.
Without much drama on the golf course because of tough greens and Texas wind, Day supplied it with the latest in a long list of injuries.
Jordan Spieth, a crowd favorite who helped Texas to a national title in 2012, produced what the crowd came to see. The No. 1 player built an early lead and made a few pivotal putts to stay in control as he beat Jamie Donaldson of Wales 3 and 2.
Rory McIlroy escaped with a victory. He never led until winning on the 18th hole, where Thorbjorn Olesen shanked a chip. Martin Kaymer rode the wind and drove the green on the 376-yard 18th hole to claim a 1-up victory over Shane Lowry. Matt Kuchar had the shortest day, dispatching Anirban Lahiri in 13 holes.
Day overcame an early deficit and had the match in hand when he first felt pain. The severity of the injury was unclear. His agent sent a statement that Day had tweaked his back, had some work done on it, was pleased with winning and was preparing to take part in the next day’s play.
Day told the Australian Associated Press before he went to get treatment: “It’s really hard to play with searing pain in both sides of your lower back. Just my back has seized up and I need to get inside right away for treatment and see what’s wrong.”
There was no need to worry about Spieth. He had the largest crowd and delivered a solid performance, going 4-up through seven holes.
“I felt like everybody was on our side today,” Spieth said. “I almost felt like a home Ryder Cup match. And Jamie, I’m not sure what he would say about it... Everyone was very respectful, but every single step I took, somebody was yelling at you: ‘Hook ‘em Horns’ or ‘Go Jordan, we’re rooting for you.’ Which is really, really cool.”
Rickie Fowler, the No. 5 seed, rallied from 3-down on the back nine to square his match on the 15th hole, only for Jason Dufner to win the next two holes with birdies to beat him on the 17th hole. He was the highest-ranked played to lose.
Dustin Johnson (No. 8) lost to Robert Streb, while Hideki Matsuyama (No. 12) lost to Rafa Cabrera-Bello. Adam Scott (No. 6) had to settle for a halve with Thomas Pieters of Belgium. Players and caddies wore black ribbons in their caps to honor the those killed in Tuesday’s Brussels attacks.
In the round-robin format, all of the players still have a chance to advance from their groups and reach the knockout stage. A year ago, only three players who lost in the first round reached the round of 16. It might be easier this year because there are halves during group play.
Bubba Watson (No. 4) was among six players whose matches ended in a draw.
Phil Mickelson, playing the World Golf Championship for the first time in five years, ran off three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the front nine to build a big lead and Matthew Fitzpatrick could not catch up, the match ending on the 14th hole.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely