Jason Day battles flu-like symptoms the day before starting his title defense at Torrey Pines

Jason Day is suffering from flu-like symptoms and has pulled out of Wednesday’s pro-am at Torrey Pines, where the world’s No. 2-ranked player is scheduled to begin the defense of his title on Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open.

Tournament officials also canceled Day’s scheduled interview with the media on Wednesday.

In an interview with The Times on Saturday, Day’s wife, Ellie, said she had been ill during the week in Palm Desert with similar symptoms, along with their 3-year-old son, Dash, and infant daughter, Lucy. Dash had been sick with ear infections and a fever.

Jason had not yet become ill, but was caring for his family, which was staying in a home in Palm Desert before heading to San Diego in the bus that serves as their road home.

“If we’re not better next week, you might find us at a Holiday Inn Express,” Ellie half-joked of trying to keep Jason healthy.

Day, 28, suffered from vertigo during last year’s U.S. Open and later at the British Open. Doctors have diagnosed him with a viral infection in his ear and he is on a regimen that will require him to take medication for the rest of this year.