SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Jason Day withdrew midway through the opening round because of a back injury.
Day grimaced and grabbed his back after teeing off on the first hole, his 10th of the day, and was carted back to the clubhouse after completing the hole.
Day was 7 over par for the day at Shinnecock, after closing out his first nine with six consecutive bogeys.
The 38-year-old Australian has a long history of back issues but seemed to turn a corner in recent years, allowing him to remain among the top 50 in the world. He tied for 12th earlier this year at the Masters.
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