• Golf

Day loses eight family members in typhoon

ESPN staff
November 18, 2013
Jason Day practiced at Royal Melbourne ahead of the World Cup © Getty Images
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Jason Day has tragically lost eight of his relatives to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Day is scheduled to play in the World Cup with Adam Scott for Australia this week.

Speaking at Royal Melbourne about his late family members, including his grandmother, Day paused several times to compose himself.

He said: "They found, I think, eight of our relatives. Six of them were children, and my grandma, and a couple more. It's such a tragedy. I feel for my mother."

The typhoon has killed nearly 4,000 people with more than 1,000 missing. Many of Day's relatives lived in the area around Tacloban, the capital of the Leyte province which has been one of the hardest-hit areas.

"It's been toughest on my mother, there's been no communication," Day said. "Everything got wiped out in the area around where my grandma and my relatives lived. The only way we could communicate with anyone was with our relatives in Manila through Facebook. They did the searching."

Day's mother Dening migrated from the Philippines to Australia over three decades ago.

World No.20 Day had earlier released a statement through the PGA Tour saying he was deeply saddened by the deaths of his family members.

"My family and I are thankful for all who have reached out with their prayers and concern," he said.

"We feel devastated for all who have been affected by this horrific tragedy. Please pray for all who have suffered loss. Thank you."

Day is also scheduled to play in the Australian Open at Royal Sydney next week.

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