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Day overcome by dizziness at end of second round
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Jason Day, of Australia, lies in the fairway after falling down as his caddie Colin Swatton crouches beside him on the ninth hole during Friday's second round of the U.S. Open. - photo by Associated Press

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Jason Day was overcome by dizziness and collapsed on his final hole at the U.S. Open on Friday, raising doubt about whether he will be able to continue this weekend.

Day, who has dealt with vertigo in the past, was 3 under for the championship when he was approaching his ball in the greenside bunker on the ninth hole, his last of the second round.

Suddenly, Day fell over to his left, attempting to brace his fall with his hands. His head bounced off the hard ground and Day lay nearly motionless for several minutes.

"I turned around and he was just laying there," said Jordan Spieth, his playing partner.

Day remained flat on his back while medical staff tended to him. He finally got up with their help, still a bit shaky, and chose to finish his round.

The popular Australian climbed gingerly into the greenside bunker, where his hands were visibly shaking. Day splashed out of the sand as the gallery cheered, then two-putted for bogey to finish at 2 under, three shots off the lead.

"I've played a lot of golf with Jason," Spieth said. "Just came out of nowhere."

Day was helped onto a cart and driven to the scorer's tent to make his round official, then helped into a waiting van and taken for additional medical attention.

Bud Martin, Day's agent, released a statement that Day was being treated at the course.

"We will provide more information later today after getting through the medical evaluation process," Martin said. "Jason wants to express his appreciation for all the good wishes from so many fans and friends."

His caddie, Colin Swatton, said that it was similar to an episode that Day had at last year's World Golf Championship event at Firestone in Ohio. Day had completed two holes on Sunday when he had to withdraw because of dizziness that was later diagnosed as vertigo.

Day, who won the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year, went through a procedure that was supposed to alleviate the problem, but issues with his equilibrium have continued. Daywas forced to withdraw from the Byron Nelson last month after getting dizzy during the pro-am.

"I know he didn't play in Dallas this year because of vertigo," said Tiger Woods, who was playing in the group just behind Day on Friday. "I played with him at the Memorial and talked to him in depth, they did a blood panel and all of that stuff. I hope he's OK."

Fortunately for Day, he was on the final hole when he collapsed, allowing medical staff to reach him quickly. Chambers Bay is pocked by massive dunes and rugged terrain, and with the huge galleries it is difficult to get around.

"I was glad we could get done," said Justin Rose, who also played with Day. "At least he has a chance to recover for tomorrow, hopefully. I don't know if this is one of those things that is 10 minutes or a day. I don't know."