Jarrod Lyle, Leukemia Returns

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Professional golfer Jarrod Lyle suffered a recurrence of leukemia upon returning home to Australia to prepare for the birth of his first child. Jarrod was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 17. He recovered, and went on to earn his PGA Tour card. He thought the chemotherapy from his teen years would make him infertile, so  was absolutely thrilled to learn his wife, Briony, was pregnant.

Robert Allenby, who supports a cancer program that once had Lyle as a patient, said he received word Thursday morning that Lyle was going to start chemotherapy as soon as his wife gave birth, saying that;

“If he starts chemo now, he won’t be able to touch the baby or watch the birth. They’re inducing her today, and she has the baby, he goes straight into treatments. It’s just devastating. He just got his whole life where he wants. He’s married, he has a new baby coming, he’s playing great golf. And now this. It’s the same cancer that’s come back, the same leukemia.”

A saddened Robert Allenby, has been exchanging text messages with Jarrod throughout the day. Jarrod’s manager, Tony Bouffler said on Friday that Jarrod was in good spirits and elated about the birth of his child, which was expected by Saturday, adding that Lyle would begin chemotherapy treatments on Monday in Melbourne.

“He’s of good country stock and he’s pretty resilient,” Bouffler said,

I wish Jarrod all the best for the future, may God Bless you and keep you.

Holes-in-one on the 16th at TPC Scottsdale

Holes in one on the 16th at TPC Scottsdale are still a rare event despite the huge crowds that surround this green, just waiting in anticipation to see one.(excuse the pun)  The Waste Management Phoenix Open starts this week and the 16th will be a caldron of fascination once again.  Those surrounding stands have been named “the Coliseum” for good reason; there are fans on all sides exploding with child like excitement.  The complete list of aces at the 16th since 1987 stands at eight holes in one, with Jarrod Lyle adding his name to the list last year. He said of his baptism of fire;  ”possibly the scariest tee shot in golf.”

Caryn Levy/Getty Images

 

My interest in this story was kindled when yesterday I hit the pin with my tee shot on the 17th, par three at Otaki Golf Course. There must obviously have been a fault with the pin because the ball rebounded off it to the left, another near miss for me. For your information Otaki is in New Zealand, on the other side of the world to TPC Scottsdale, but unfortunately it is the nearest I will be able to get to the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Should you be interested this is the list of Aces at the 16th, TPC Scottsdale.

 

Aces on the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, since 1987

Year Player Rd 2011 Jarrod Lyle 2 2002 Mike Sposa 2 1997 Tiger Woods 3 1997 Steve Stricker 4 1991 Jay Delsing 3 1990 Brad Bryant 1 1990 David Edwards 3 1988 Hal Sutton 3