Sinus ailment slows down Day

HAVEN, Wisc. - Everyone knows how tough a sinus infection can be.

Try having one for eight straight months.

Welcome to Jason Day's world.

The young Australian, who is near the top of the leaderboard after shooting 3 under Thursday at Whistling Straits, has just changed medication for the sinus infection he's had since the Sony Open in January and thankfully it's worked; his left maxillary sinus, which was full at the start of the year, is now at 60 percent.

"I've had two, three CAT scans, three CT scans and it's actually now under halfway full of gunk," Day said, using official medical lingo. "I think the plan is to try and survive the next few tournaments and get it done surgically after the FedEx Cup."

Somehow, Day has been able to continue playing competitive golf this year despite his condition, but it hasn't been easy.

"I get a little dizzy out there sometimes, mainly when I bend over and come back up," he said. "I get really light-headed out there and I feel really sick.

"You can't really play competitive golf against the best in the world when you're feeling sick. lt's frustrating, but you have to deal with it. These tournaments we're playing now are just too important for us."

Fighting (sleep deprivation) Illini: The University of Illinois contingent - Mike Small, Steve Stricker and D.A. Points - were all victims of late starts Thursday because of the fog delay and face a short turnaround as they hit the course early today to finish up the final holes of their first round.

"You have to play 27 holes on four hours sleep," Small said. "I think it would be easier on your body if you could do it the other way, but that's the way it is and that's why playing golf tournaments is so hard to do."

Small finished his day at 2 over and will be facing a 6-footer for birdie on No. 11 when play resumes at 7 a.m.

"Really, only 1 or 2 bad shots was all I hit," Small said. "I just didn't make a putt all day."

Stricker, the hometown favorite, is at 1 under after a bogey-free round.

"We've got a long day, but if you can get on a roll you never know," he said. "You have to make a quick turnaround, get some rest and get right back at it."

Points, who has six top-25 finishes this season, is at even par and facing a birdie putt on No. 4 when play resumes.

"Made a couple of good par saves - I'm playing alright," he said in the gloaming.

Missed opportunity: Luke Donald made an early appearance on the leaderboard but faded late and eventually finished his day at even par.

"I thought if you were playing well you could make a score out there," the former Northwestern standout said. "There were birdie opportunities out there and I'm a little disappointed not to have taken advantage of it. But you are never out of it with a level par round."