Australian Jason Day's bid to win the US PGA Tour's mega-rich FedEx Cup is in doubt after a back injury marred his opening round of the BMW Championship.
Playing the penultimate event of the playoffs series, world No.6 Day is right in the hunt for the $US10 million prize for the season-long FedEx Cup points winner.
But he was in obvious discomfort, struggling even to retrieve his ball from the hole as he battled gamely to an even-par 70 to be tied 20th after the first round at Cherry Hills in Colorado on Thursday.
He received extensive post-round treatment and was tentatively diagnosed with a lower back strain before heading off for a precautionary MRI scan, putting his place in the tournament, and next week's season-ending Tour Championship, at risk.
It's just the latest in a series of injury and health problems which have blighted Day's season.
"It has been feeling a bit strange for a little while now and then it just seized up on me today. It locked up," Day told AAP.
"I am just really frustrated right now. I was finally playing injury-free after a tough year so for this to come now is a bit of a kick in the guts."
World No.1 Rory McIlroy and Americans Jordan Spieth and Gary Woodland shared the lead after shooting 67s with nine players a shot back including Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and defending FedEx Cup champion Henrik Stenson.
It was to Day's credit that he was able to stay close to them.
At seventh on points list, Day is the highest-ranked Australian, giving him the best chance of winning the FedEx Cup at next week's season-ending Tour Championship - if he can play on.
He's had a horror run since incurring thumb injury while winning the WGC-Match Play Championship in February.
He was able to play just four tournaments over the next five months, with several throat infections ruling out earlier comebacks.
When at last able to return to full practice at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in early Augusta, Day was floored by a bout of vertigo, a side effect to his medication, forcing another withdrawal.
Finally hitting his straps in the last month with a tie for 15th at the US PGA Championship, a second place at the opening playoffs event and a seventh at the second one last week, Day was understandably frustrated with this latest complaint.
World No.2 Adam Scott and Stuart Appleby were the next best Australians at the BMW Championship after shooting 71s.
Scott is locked into the Tour Championship but Appleby must be inside the top 47 this week to be certain to advance.
Steven Bowditch, who needs a top-four finish to advance, is up against it after a 72 left him tied 45th.
Matt Jones, who needs to be in the top three to advance, is long odds after a 73 left him tied 50th along with John Senden, who luckily is safe to next week.
Geoff Ogilvy also shot 73 and placed himself under early pressure to make next week.
The Victorian only needs a top 58 result in the 69-man field to advance.
Marc Leishman, who needs a top-four finish, needs a miracle after opening with a 74.
Share
