Orlando, Fla. —Jason Day withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Wednesday and headed home to Ohio, arriving just in time to be with his mother when she died of cancer.
Denning Day was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017, which Day revealed in tears at Dell Match Play in Austin, Texas. She progressed through special treatment in Ohio, returned to Australia and then spent the last few years with Day in Ohio when the cancer returned.
Day said in an Instagram post that he died peacefully on Wednesday night. Day's sisters and one of their children were able to leave Australia for Columbus to be with him as his condition worsened.
"We are heartbroken, but incredibly grateful, for the gift we have received in being with us for the past two years," Day said. "She worked so hard until my last breath. I am forever indebted to what she did for me to be successful, and to the person who helped me become. We will miss her dearly."
When Day was 12, his father died of colon cancer. He was running into trouble when his mother borrowed money from his brother and sold his house to help pay for Day to attend a boarding school with a golf program. It was here that he met Colin Swatton, who became his coach and caddy as Day reached No. 1 in the world.