Jason Day’s 2026 U.S. Open came to a heartbreaking and abrupt end on Thursday, June 19, when the Australian golf star was forced to withdraw midway through his opening round at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. For fans searching “why did Jason Day withdraw today,” the answer is a familiar and painful one — his chronic back injury has struck again at the worst possible time.
What Happened to Jason Day at the 2026 U.S. Open?
Day was competing in the 126th edition of the U.S. Open when the injury flared up during Round 1. Broadcast cameras caught the moment things took a turn for the worse — Day was seen grimacing and struggling to rotate during a practice swing on the 10th hole (his first hole of the day, as he started on Shinnecock’s back nine). After completing the hole, he was carted off the course by golf cart with his caddie, Luke Reardon, and officially withdrew from the tournament shortly after.
He was 7-over par through just 10 holes at the time of his withdrawal, having made six consecutive bogeys to close out holes 13 through 18 on the back nine during what turned into a deeply frustrating round.
Why Did Jason Day Withdraw? The Back Injury Explained
The USGA confirmed that Day cited a back injury as the reason for his withdrawal. The 38-year-old Australian has a long and well-documented history of back problems that have plagued him throughout his PGA Tour career. This is not an isolated incident — Day has withdrawn from multiple tournaments over the years due to back issues, including withdrawals at the 2020 and 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational and previous events in 2025.
In 2025, Day had also withdrawn from the Truist Championship due to complications from a herniated disc near his neck, a condition related to his broader spinal issues. His back has been the most persistent obstacle in what has otherwise been a remarkably talented career.
How Was Jason Day Playing Before the Withdrawal?
Despite his exit at Shinnecock, Day had shown flashes of strong form in the earlier part of the 2026 season:
- T-2 finish at the American Express in January
- T-6 finish at the Houston Open
- T-12 finish at the Masters
However, his form had slipped in recent months. He had not finished inside the top 30 in his last five starts before arriving at the U.S. Open, and he missed the cut at the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday in his most recent start. The back nine at Shinnecock on Thursday only compounded those struggles.
Jason Day’s History at the U.S. Open
Day’s withdrawal is particularly significant given his storied history with this event. The former world No. 1 — who spent 51 weeks atop the Official World Golf Ranking in 2015, 2016, and 2017 — has been a U.S. Open contender for over a decade. He was the runner-up at the 2011 U.S. Open, finishing eight shots behind Rory McIlroy, and shared second at the 2013 U.S. Open, two shots behind Justin Rose. He also experienced a famous vertigo episode at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, collapsing on the fairway before continuing.
Day entered this week ranked No. 47 in the world, still firmly in the upper echelon of the game despite his recent injury troubles.
Day Carted Off Course — What Viewers Saw
Television viewers watching Round 1 coverage on USA Network and Peacock witnessed the unsettling scene of Day being loaded onto a golf cart and driven off the course. The moment drew immediate attention on social media and golf broadcasts, with Golf Channel confirming the withdrawal shortly thereafter. Day had just hit his tee shot into a greenside bunker on the par-3 second hole before deciding he could not continue.
What This Means for the 2026 U.S. Open
With Day out of the field, the tournament continues without one of its recognizable names. The 2026 U.S. Open runs from June 18–21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club — a famously demanding links-style course known for punishing even the world’s best. Because Day withdrew prior to the start of Round 2, he is also eligible for DraftKings Early Exit provisions for fantasy sports players who had him in their lineups.
The leaderboard continues to take shape, with players such as Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler among the top contenders navigating the challenging conditions at Shinnecock.
FAQ: Jason Day Withdrawal at the 2026 U.S. Open
Q: Why did Jason Day withdraw from the U.S. Open today? A: Jason Day withdrew during the first round of the 2026 U.S. Open due to a back injury. He was seen grimacing during a practice swing and was carted off the course after 10 holes.
Q: How many holes did Jason Day play before withdrawing? A: Day completed 10 holes before withdrawing. He was 7-over par at the time.
Q: Where is the 2026 U.S. Open being held? A: The 126th U.S. Open is being held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, from June 18–21, 2026.
Q: Has Jason Day had back problems before? A: Yes. Day has a long history of back injuries going back years, including previous withdrawals at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and complications from a herniated disc in 2025.
Q: What was Jason Day’s world ranking before his withdrawal? A: Day entered the 2026 U.S. Open ranked No. 47 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Q: Will Jason Day be able to play in future tournaments? A: No official timeline for his return has been announced. His health will depend on how quickly he can recover from the back flare-up.
Will Jason Day’s back hold up long enough for him to chase one more major title? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for the latest updates from the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.