News

Jason Day’s withdrawal at the API ignites debate on the implementation of weekly injury reports to protect daily fantasy sports users

Published

7 years ago

Mar 8, 2019

Jason Day’s withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational during his seventh hole of the day sparked a lively debate on Thursday, with many daily fantasy sports (DFS) and gamblers feeling cheated.

A plethora of angry DFS players aired their thoughts on social media after the withdrawal, with some requesting that the PGA Tour implements weekly injury reports, as the relationship between golf and gambling begins to heat up.

Live look at Jason Day investors: pic.twitter.com/sCQMnBprhF

— Glass (@MikeGlasscott) March 7, 2019

The Australian called it quits during the seventh hole of his round, explaining to playing partners Ian Poulter and Rickie Fowler that he couldn’t continue due to the pain in his back. Day revealed after the round the significance of his injury, which involves an annular tear in his L4-L5 discs.

“I (aggravated) it last Sunday, and then got an MRI Monday which came back that I had an annular tear in my disc and then I’ve got ‘set problems’ as well.

“My back was sore when I was practising from Tuesday to Saturday (last week) and I was going to practise on Sunday, but I woke up and couldn’t really walk or sit in the car. I was on a dose pack to try get the inflammation out of it that didn’t get any better.”

The explanation had some questioning whether Day was right to tee it up in the first place, not just to protect those in the fantasy sports world but also for preventing first alternate Chase Wright an opportunity to tee it up, but Day had hoped that the injury would “loosen up” as his round went on.

Last week, Tour Chief Jay Monahan said to players at the Honda Classic

“We are aggressively and also carefully pursuing commercial deals in the U.S. gambling and daily fantasy spaces and expect to make announcements in the coming months. We see strong opportunities for commercial deals.”

But despite those opportunities and growing relationships with these DFS companies, in light of Day’s costly withdrawal for many of those gamblers, golf fans should not expect to see weekly injury reports like they do in the NFL and MLB in the near future, due to the players of the Tour being independent contractors.

Speaking to The Action Network, a PGA Tour spokesman stated

“For the foreseeable future, medical information is considered confidential. Players are not required to disclose an injury.”

The heated debate over Day’s withdrawal also involved Tour players, who were happy to share their view on the subject, with some holding strong opinions on the matter.

Kevin Kisner, co-chairman of the Tour’s Player Advisory Council, has little sympathy with those who lost money on Day’s withdrawal, stating to Golf Channel’s Will Gray.

“It’s nobody’s business. I mean, are we out here to gamble, or are we out here to play golf? I don’t really give a s*** about the DFS guys. You should have picked someone else. If he had shot 65 and he had a hurt back, those guys wouldn’t have said anything.”

Jimmy Walker had more sympathy and concern over those that could contain more inside information than others.

“I’m not saying that anyone did anything malicious, but yeah, it’s a bigger deal. There might have been a head-to-head (matchup) with Jason today, and if a few people know that he’s probably not feeling good, people need to know that. It’s a big deal. There’s a lot of money out there.”

As the PGA Tour’s relationship with gambling continues to evolve, it’s unlikely that the fiery debate will subside anytime soon. Whatever side of the fence you’re on though, the timeless words which Brandt Snedeker issued on Thursday afternoon are perhaps the most relevant, and a stark reminder to those DFS users: “That’s why they call it gambling”.

Related Topics:featured

Up Next

Tour Rundown: Moli-Moli-Moli-Molinari!

Don't Miss

Morning 9: RIP Dan Jenkins | Rafa rises at Bay Hill | Phull Phil, Pt. 237

Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

18 Comments

Rich

Mar 9, 2019 at 1:55 pm

I could care less what DFS players think of some jock’s injury-like Jason Day. No sports player knows when he/she is going to get injured.
Jason Day, don’t pay a whit of attention to their whining.

Reply Report comment
FkKisner

Mar 8, 2019 at 9:59 pm

I don’t bet or gamble – but Kisner is an absolute b1tch.

Reply Report comment
SImms

Mar 8, 2019 at 4:41 pm

Maybe I should play on Tour, I would be a shoe in to miss the cut each week and gamblers would love me as a sure thing…

Reply Report comment
dat

Mar 8, 2019 at 4:14 pm

Imagine betting on sports. Lol.

Reply Report comment
I Man

Mar 8, 2019 at 2:21 pm

Nobody on tour could care less about people gambling on their sport, nor should they. If you aren’t prepared to lose, don’t make the bet. Worst thing the PGA Tour could have done .

Reply Report comment
Prut

Mar 8, 2019 at 2:00 pm

…and now that WRX writes about it, we’re supposed to think it’s an actual issue. Just because people say shit doesn’t make it important.

Reply Report comment
Phil D. Snuts

Mar 8, 2019 at 12:20 pm

Fantasy sports lmao. Get a grip people

Reply Report comment
HacknGolf

Mar 8, 2019 at 12:12 pm

As a DFS player there are certain rules:

1) Don’t pick Jason Day
2) Don’t pick Kevin Na
3) Don’t pick Danny Lee
4) Don’t pick John Daly

If you stick to those rules, you avoid 99% of WD’s

Reply Report comment
- Loto
  
  Mar 8, 2019 at 6:58 pm
  
  You forgot Tiger
  
  Reply Report comment
ryan

Mar 8, 2019 at 12:07 pm

anyone who cant own the fact that the guy they picked WD’d is truly a cuck and sucks at gambling. In Sports gambling every outcome is out of your control. Take your losses like a man and realize these guys play for a living, and your some idiot who lost a 50$ entry fee and will be over it in about 4 hours time

Reply Report comment
Tom

Mar 8, 2019 at 12:01 pm

Gianni is a beast!

Reply Report comment
LD

Mar 8, 2019 at 11:20 am

It’s gambling, what do the people betting expect? A sure thing? Like assuming when you go to Vegas you’ll win, yea right.

Reply Report comment
Barney

Mar 8, 2019 at 10:40 am

Kisner would be wise to keep his mouth shut and let folks presume he’s a fool rather than open it and remove all doubt.

Reply Report comment
JugHead

Mar 8, 2019 at 10:28 am

People crying about losing money gambling… Sounds about right in this day and age. Gotta side with Snedeker and Kisner on this one.

Reply Report comment
Thomas A

Mar 8, 2019 at 10:23 am

Feeling bad about GAMBLERS losing money? It’s called gambling for a reason. You lost, tough s**t.

Reply Report comment
- Mower
  
  Mar 8, 2019 at 12:01 pm
  
  Exactly! If they’ve got money to throw away on sh*t like this – zero sympathy.
  
  Reply Report comment
- 2putttom
  
  Mar 8, 2019 at 1:25 pm
  
  spot on
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Chuck
    
    Mar 8, 2019 at 6:03 pm
    
    spot on
    
    Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ben A

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase