Ellie Harvey’s Emotional Statement on Jason Day’s Heartbreaking Withdrawal from 2025 Open Championship

In a gut-wrenching turn of events, PGA Tour star Jason Day has withdrawn from the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, scheduled for July 13-20, 2025, leaving fans and the golfing world reeling. The former world No. 1 and 2015 PGA Championship winner was forced to pull out due to a herniated disc in his neck, a recurring injury that has plagued his career. His wife, Ellie Harvey, broke her silence with an emotional statement on social media, shared via the Brighter Days Foundation Instagram account, offering a raw and heartfelt glimpse into the family’s pain and resilience. As Day faces an uncertain recovery, Ellie’s words have struck a chord, igniting support across platforms like X and highlighting the personal toll behind the Australian golfer’s latest setback.

Ellie’s statement, posted on July 12, 2025, revealed the depth of the couple’s disappointment. “Jason’s been fighting through pain for weeks, hoping to compete at Portrush, a place he loves,” she wrote. “This decision breaks our hearts, but his health comes first. He’s given everything to this sport, and we’re asking for your prayers as he heals.” The post, accompanied by a photo of Day with their five children—Dash, Lucy, Arrow, Oz, and Winnie—drew thousands of comments from fans and fellow players, with hashtags like #GetWellJason and #DayStrong trending on X. Ellie, who has been Day’s unwavering support since they met in 2005, emphasized his determination to return, adding, “He’s faced tougher battles before, and we’ll get through this together.” Her words echoed the couple’s history of overcoming adversity, from Day’s mother’s passing in 2022 to his career-threatening injuries.

Day’s withdrawal marks his second major absence in 2025, following a pullout from The Players Championship in March due to illness. The herniated disc, first reported during his withdrawal from the Truist Championship in May, has worsened, with sources close to the family indicating Day experienced severe pain during practice rounds in Scotland. Despite a solid season—highlighted by a T3 at The American Express and a T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational—Day’s neck injury has limited his ability to swing freely, a critical issue on Portrush’s demanding Dunluce Links. The 37-year-old, ranked No. 32 globally, was considered a contender for the Claret Jug after a runner-up finish at the 2023 Open Championship, making his absence all the more devastating.

Ellie’s role as Day’s rock has long been celebrated. The Ohio native, who met Day at 17 while waitressing at Mavis Winkle’s Irish Pub, has been by his side through 13 PGA Tour wins, including the emotional 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson victory, dedicated to her and his late mother, Dening. “Ellie never gave up on me,” Day said after that win, crediting her for pushing him through a five-year title drought marked by back injuries and vertigo. Her 2015 live-tweeting of his PGA Championship win, with quips like “LOUD NOISES!” and “You’re a beast @JDayGolf,” endeared her to fans, while her leadership of their Brighter Days Foundation underscores her commitment to community. In 2019, Ellie’s blunt encouragement—“It’s the Masters, suck it up”—helped Day overcome back pain to contend at Augusta, a testament to her influence.

The golf community has rallied around Day, with Rory McIlroy, a close friend, commenting on X, “Gutted for Jason. He’s a fighter and will be back stronger.” Posts on X also highlighted the irony of Day’s withdrawal from Portrush, where he finished T4 in 2019, with one fan noting, “Jason’s love for links golf makes this so tough.” Day’s injury history—back issues since his teens, a 2015 LeBron James collision that hospitalized Ellie, and a 2017 miscarriage—has forged a resilient family unit. Ellie’s statement hinted at a cautious recovery timeline, with Day potentially targeting the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow (August 7-10, 2025) for his return, though specialists are still assessing the injury’s severity.

As the Open Championship unfolds without one of Australia’s finest, Ellie’s emotional words have shifted focus to Day’s human side. “He’s more than a golfer—he’s a husband, a father, a fighter,” she wrote, sparking a wave of support that transcends the sport. With the golf world watching, Day’s road to recovery will test his resolve, but if Ellie’s faith is any indication, the former world No. 1 is far from done.