Jason Day collapses at U.S. Open
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — As Jason Day walked toward the green on his final hole of Round 2 of the U.S. Open, the world number 10 ranked golfer collapsed.
Day laid in place for almost 10 minutes as medical staff rushed to give him attention. Day’s wife, Ellie, came inside the ropes as well to check on her husband. Ultimately, Day got up and finished playing the hole, making a bogey to shoot even-par 70. At 2-under for the tournament, he’s within striking distance of the lead. However, there are more important matters.
It initially seemed that Day may have slipped on the fescue grass that has proven slippery for fans, players and caddies. However, Day told Greg Norman of Fox Sports, “I’ve got vertigo. I’ll be OK.”
Day’s agent Bud Martin released a statement in which he said “Jason is being treated on site at Chambers Bay, after feeling dizzy near the end of his round.” Martin added that they will “provide more information later today after getting through the medical evaluation process.”
The collapse came as Day walked down from the ninth-hole tee box, perched about 100 feet above the green. (Day began his round on the back nine, making the ninth his final hole.)
After signing his scorecard, Day was driven to his motorcoach parked at Chambers Bay. At this point, it’s unclear if he will play on Saturday in Round 3.
Playing partner Jordan Spieth said after the round that Day had given no indication to him or Justin Rose, the third player in the group, that he had been experiencing vertigo symptoms during the round.
“He may have told Colin [Swatton, Day’s caddie], but he didn’t say anything to us,” said Spieth, who made birdie after Day got up to finish the final hole of the day.
Day has battled dizziness dating back to 2010, according to Golf Channel, which spoke to Ellie Day. Back in May, Day withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson, citing dizziness he experienced during a practice round. He also withdrew from last year’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August because of the vertigo-like symptoms.
Leading into this week, Day said he and his team have been unable to figure out what may be triggering these spells of dizziness. He’s undergone several sleep studies, but hasn’t been given a definitive answer.
