Jason Day, who rose to fame after finishing 2nd at the US Masters in 2011, is grieving over the loss of his grandmother and 7 other relatives during the typhoon that ravaged the Philippines last month. His mother Dening, reported that his uncle and 6 cousins also died during typhoon Yolanda, (international code name Haiyan).
One aunt was found alive despite being swept to another village, while another aunt’s family survived after binding themselves together with rope and taking refuge in an attic.
The family left the Philippines for Australia some 30 years ago. while the 26-year-old golfer was born after the move.
“My daughter has been updating him, but I don’t want to bother him because he has commitments,” Day’s mother reported to the Herald Sun. “There will be plenty of time to talk after [the World Cup]. He’s representing his country, so I don’t want him worrying about anything apart from golf.”
Day turned professional in July 2006 after winning the Green Jacket at the NEC Master of the Amateurs, signing with Taylor Made and Adidas and immediately began playing PGA Tour events, principally through sponsors’ exemptions. He won his first Nationwide Tour event in July 2007 at the Legend Financial Group Classic, becoming the youngest man to win on any of the PGA Tour’s three tours.