Former Players champion Jason Day has withdrawn from this year’s tournament due to illness, the PGA Tour announced Thursday before the opening round.
Day, who won the event in 2016, was set to tee off at 8:46 a.m. EDT alongside Wyndham Clark and Jordan Spieth. However, he was forced to pull out after developing a severe stomach bug overnight, according to Golf Channel’s Steve Burkowski.
The 37-year-old had been in strong form, contending at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational before finishing tied for eighth. His most recent victory came at the 2023 Byron Nelson.
With Day out, Danny Walker steps in as his replacement. The 29-year-old Korn Ferry Tour graduate will be making his Players Championship debut.
