Jason Day withdraws from Australian Open and World Cup of Golf

World number one Jason Day has withdrawn from the two biggest tournaments of the Australian summer of golf.

In a major blow for the upcoming Australian summer of golf, Jason Day has withdrawn from both the Australian Open and the World Cup of Golf to recover from a recent back injury.

In a media release from World Cup of Golf organisers, Day has been advised not to make the trip to Australia during the rest period required after straining a ligament in his back putting a tee in the ground last month:

After tearing a ligament in his back towards the end of the 2016 PGATOUR season, forcing his withdrawal from the BMW Championship and the TOUR Championship, Day has been advised to rest until 2017. The prognosis for a successful return to playing is not at issue, but the timing of the long trip to Australia in the midst of his rehabilitation and rest period was not recommended.

“I regret that I will be unable to come home to Australia this year. I was looking forward to playing in the Australian Open and teaming up with Adam Scott on one of my favorite courses Kingston Heath the following week at the World Cup in Melbourne,” Day said in a statement.

“My plan is to return home to Australia in 2017. My best wishes to all in Sydney at the Open and to Adam and Team Australia in Melbourne at the World Cup.”

In addition, Day was forced to withdraw from a charity match planned against former world No.1 Rory McIlroy to be played in the Philippines on November 29. The “Battle for a Cause” was set to raise significant funds in his mother’s homeland.

The loss of Day means Adam Scott is temporarily left without a partner for the World Cup of Golf but will most likely be name his new team-mate in the coming weeks – we’re expecting it to be Marc Leishman.