Jason Day will proudly represent Australia with Adam Scott in golf's World Cup this week, but says he's strongly feeling his Filipino heritage.
The Queensland-born 26-year-old lost his grandmother, an uncle and six cousins in Typhoon Haiyan.
Other relatives remain unaccounted for.
His mother Dening was born in the Philippines and Day said the tragedy there tugged on his heart in ways he can't explain.
"Being half-Australian, half-Filipino, typically after something like that happens you tend to bend towards that way," Day told reporters at Royal Melbourne on Wednesday.
"It's difficult, there's really nothing, no way to explain the (feelings) that go out towards the people that have been affected."
Day's mum found out through relatives on Facebook that her mother had died.
While Day aims to focus on his golf, he said communication difficulties meant the full toll on his extended family was yet to be ascertained.
"I know this is a big week for us and for Australia, to really represent Australia well," Day said.
"My heart goes out to everyone that's lost someone loved over there.
"We're still trying to look for some more people, some more relatives over there, so it's a tough situation."
Scott, coming off winning the Australian PGA on the Gold Coast and Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne, praised Day's courage.
"Every credit to Jason for sticking around this week in a tough time and wanting to play and represent Australia," Scott said.
"He understands how important that is for everyone down here."
The pair had hoped to play together, but for the first two rounds at least are grouped separately, as the event for the first time includes a significant individual component as well as the team trophy.
The two Australians will be among the top individual contenders.
But having their names engraved on the cup together is the top goal.
"You want to be able to go out there and support your mate no matter what, even if it's close," Day said.
But asked how close they were as friends, Day joked that world No.2 Scott, who has dated the likes of Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic and actress Kate Hudson, couldn't spare much time.
"At tournaments and stuff we hang out a little bit," Day said.
"But me with my little boy and my wife and Scotty with all the women that are chasing him, it's just too much."
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