World No. 1 Jason Day of Australia expressed deep regrets over the cancellation of a charity exhibition match with Rory McIlroy originally scheduled for Nov. 29 at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga.
“I’m quite saddened about missing our trip to the Philippines,” said Day, whose mother is Filipino, in a statement released by Dolphin Fire, the company that is putting up the event.
Day was forced to skip two major events—the Australian Open in Sydney and the World Cup in Melbourne – owing to a back injury on the advice of his doctor.
Day was looking forward to some sort of a homecoming as he was planning to bring along his mother during the trip “to visit where we lost members of our family in the typhoon (in 2013).”
To make up for his absence, Day has promised to lend a hand when he makes a visit in 2017.
“We are going to raise much needed funds for worthy causes brought on by this disaster and I look forward to being there in 2017 to help get this work done,” added Day.
Dolphin Fire President and Event Director Miguel Bitanga said they are “working round the clock” to sign up a “suitable replacement.”
“We fully respect Mr. Day’s decision to withdraw from the match and we are one with his family, friends and fans in hoping for his recovery,” said Bitanga.
Day was supposed to pocket at least $1 million in the event.
