Jason Day skipping Australian events, PH charity game to rest back

Jason Day of Australia, gestures as his ball misses the 18th cup for birdie during the third round of The Players Championship golf tournament Saturday, May 14, 2016, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. AP

Jason Day is skipping the Australian Open and World Cup of Golf in his home country because of the back injury that forced him to withdraw during the final two PGA Tour events of the season.

Ranked No. 1 in the world, Day said Thursday that he has been advised to rest his back and that the November trip to Australia would have conflicted with his rehabilitation and rest periods. He tore a ligament in the back.

The Australian Open is Nov. 17-20 at Royal Sydney, and the World Cup is the following week at Kingston Heath in Melbourne. Day also withdraw from a charity match against Rory McIlroy in the Philippines on Nov. 29.

“I regret that I will be unable to come home to Australian this year,” Day said in a statement. “I was looking forward to playing the Australian Open and teaming with Adan Scott on one of my favorite courses, Kingston Heath, the following week at the World Cup.”

Day and Scott teamed to win the 2013 event. Scott will now select a partner for the team event.

Day won three PGA Tour titles this year, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play and The Players Championship.