Jason Day says he’s proud to represent Australia at golf’s World Cup this week but he’s also strongly feeling his Filipino side.
The Queensland-born 26-year-old is playing at Royal Melbourne through grief after losing his grandmother, an uncle and six cousins in Typhoon Haiyan.
His mother Dening was born in the Philippines and Day said that side of his heritage was tugging at him more strongly than usual.
“Being half-Australian, half-Filipino, typically after something like that happens, you tend to bend towards that way,” Day told reporters at Royal Melbourne on Wednesday.
“It’s difficult. There’s really nothing, no way to explain the (feelings) that go out towards the people that have been affected by this.
“I feel sad for them and hopefully everything starts to move in the right direction over there.”
Day, whose mum found out through relatives on Facebook that her mother had died, said communication with the areas affected, as the typhoon ripped through the Philippines, was still difficult and some of his relatives remained unaccounted for.
“I know this is a big week for us and for Australia to really represent Australia well,” Day said of partnering world No.2 Adam Scott in the World Cup.
“My heart goes out to everyone that’s lost someone loved over there.
“We’re still trying to look for some more people, some more relatives over there, so it’s a tough situation.”
Scott, coming off wins in the Australian PGA on the Gold Coast and Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne, praised Day’s courage in playing the event.
“It’s great that the top two Australians are here representing this week,” Scott said.
“I’ve been here for a couple of weeks and, the way golf’s gone down here for the last couple of weeks, has been such a positive.
“Every credit to Jason for sticking around this week in a tough time and wanting to play and represent Australia.
“He understands how important that is for everyone down here.”
Scott said the pair would want to beat each other to claim the individual component of the event but also wanted a place in golf history by getting their names engraved on the team trophy.
Day said either player would be happy if the other won and their aim was to do Australia proud in front of a home crowd.
