Thursday 24 March 2016 09:03, UK
Jason Day recovered from a slow start to defeat Graeme McDowell 3&2 in his WGC-Dell Match Play group opener, but appeared to injure his back late on in his victory.
The world No 2 bounced back from being two holes down after four to see off the Northern Irishman, but had to head straight into the clubhouse for treatment on a strain incurred while hitting his tee shot at the 16th.
McDowell had made a strong start after holing a five-footer at the third and being awarded the next hole after a wayward tee shot from Day, but the Australian responded by driving the par-four next and two-putting for birdie.
Back-to-back wins at the eighth and ninth saw the PGA champion reach the turn one ahead, with Day doubling his advantage at the next when McDowell's tee shot ended up in the hazard.
Day moved three ahead at the 12th and maintained his lead with three consecutive pars, before looking in pain and clinging on to his lower back after his tee shot at the next.
After climbing gingerly into a fairway bunker, Day found the green and two-putted from distance to post the par needed for the win.
The Australian now sits top of group two alongside Thongchai Jaidee, who came from behind to post three birdies along the back nine to secure a 2&1 victory over Paul Casey.
Day left the Austin Country Club in Texas without speaking to reporters. His agent later sent a statement that Day had tweaked his back, had some work done on it, was pleased with winning and was getting prepared to play on Thursday.
Before getting treatment, Day told the Australian Associated Press: "It's really hard to play with searing pain in both sides of your lower back.
"Just my back has seized up and I need to get inside right away for treatment and see what's wrong."
Early shock
Jason Dufner produced an early surprise by defeating fifth-seed Rickie Fowler 2&1 to set the pace at the top of group five.
Dufner was three ahead through 11 but found himself back all-square when he three-putted the 15th, only to reply by birdieing the next and sealing the win with a 28-foot putt at the last.
"I played a lot of good holes today," Dufner said. "I feel like I played maybe a little bit better than Rickie.
"I'm just happy to win the match. Anyone that's in this field can win one of the matches at any point. I had control of the match maybe a little bit more than he did today."
The other match in the group saw BMW PGA champion Byeong Hun An let a three-hole advantage slip over the closing stretch to finish all-square with Scott Piercy.
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