Jason Day was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open with injury.
The 2015 PGA champion was captured by broadcast cameras looking uncomfortable during the first round at Shinnecock Hills – the third major championship of the season.
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Jason Day was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open after sustaining a back injuryCredit: Getty
Playing alongside Collin Morikawa and 2026 PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, Day was seven over through 10 holes after a delayed first-round start due to bad weather.
After hitting his tee shot into a greenside bunker on the par-3 second hole, and wincing in apparent pain, the Australian was seen getting carted back to the clubhouse with his caddie.
It was later confirmed that the current world No. 47 had withdrawn from competition due to a back injury.
This marked the 12th time in his career that he has been forced to withdraw from a tournament.
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Day, who is known for his wacky outfits out on course, and was competing in his 14th U.S. Open, hadn’t gotten off to the best start anyway.
On Thursday, he shot six-over 41 on the back nine – his first nine – including six consecutive bogeys.
Having begun the season well, finishing as runner-up to world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the American Express in January, Day has since struggled for form.
He entered the U.S. Open off the back of having missed the cut at the Memorial Tournament.
In his 14 Tour starts this season, he has just two top-10 finishes.
Tethered injury history
Day has an extensive injury history concerning back problems, which dates back over a decade.
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Day had made six straight bogeys before withdrawing from competitionCredit: Getty
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Back injuries have plagued him throughout his careerCredit: Getty
In fact, the 38-year-old was forced to change his golf swing as a result of chronic back issues.
“It got to a point where I couldn’t stand in place for more than 15 minutes. I was in pain a lot. Nothing was really working,” Day told FOX Sports back in 2024 in a candid interview.
“It didn’t feel enjoyable to me to play golf, not only injured, but to play golf for the wrong reasons. There was no love and passion … [I was thinking], ‘Am I finally getting close to racking up the clubs?’
“If I didn’t make the changes body-wise and swing-wise, I think there would be potential for me not playing again.
“When you’re in dark times in golf, you can get very negative and have a lot of negative self-talk. It can get pretty dark.
“During those times of being hurt and injured, it got pretty dark and I wasn’t feeling great, not only mentally and but physically, and it was hard for me to push through.”
He has also battled an array of other injuries, including vertigo back at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, although on that occasion he played through it.
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Over recent years, however, the 13-time PGA Tour winner has remained relatively injury-free.
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