Jason Day has taken an indefinite leave from golf after emotionally revealing his mother Dening, has been diagnosed with potentially terminal lung cancer.
Day walked off the course after six holes of his opening match at the WGC Match Play today after succumbing to the emotion and wanting to be by his mother’s side for surgery scheduled on Friday, American time.
Dening was diagnosed earlier this year in Australia and given 12 months to live, but Day flew his mother to the United States a week ago to get more tests with doctors in Columbus, Ohio. They have cautiously been given more hope.
"The diagnosis is much better being over here," Day revealed in a heartfelt media conference.
"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.
"She had a test 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. And it's been really hard to play golf lately in this year."
Day lost his father, Alvyn, to cancer when he was just 12 years old.
"It's been very, very emotional, as you can tell. I've already gone through it once with my dad and I know how it feels.
"It's hard enough to see another one go through it, as well," he said.
"So as of now, I'm going to try to be back there with my mum for surgery and make sure everything goes right with her.
"Emotionally it's been wearing on me for a while. And I know my mum says not to let it get to me, but it really has.
"So I just need some time away with her to make sure that everything goes well because this has been very, very tough for me.
"I'm going to do my best and try and be there the best I can for her, because she is the reason that I'm playing golf today.
"Family is first and it's just … it's just a hard time.
"I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for her and we can get this behind us and she can live a long, long life."