Jason Day shoots 68, despite still not 100 percent following WD

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Four days after withdrawing from the CJ Cup because of a neck injury, Jason Day opened with a 4-under 68 at the Zozo Championship.

Day, who was five shots off the lead when he withdrew just two holes into his final round in Las Vegas, was bogey-free on Thursday and he was tied for 17th at Sherwood Country Club. It was particularly encouraging considering that the Australian conceded that he’s not fully healthy.

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“It’s fine. Just obviously not 100 percent, but I’ve got to just keep pushing through it. It’s a quick turnaround, you know what I mean?” Day said. “I understand kind of what I need to do, so I’ve got to just keep getting treatment and keep moving on. I think overall I’m glad that I got through today, which was good.”

Following the PGA Tour’s restart in June, Day posted four consecutive top-10 finishes for one of his most consistent stretches in recent years but he failed to advance to the Tour Championship and has been slowed by injury this fall.