The outpouring of support for Jarrod Lyle shows just how much the Victorian means to Australian golf as the 35-year-old returned to hospital to face a recurrence of acute myeloid leukaemia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lyle's wife Briony confirmed the diagnosis on Wednesday afternoon after Lyle had been in for a routine test on a cough. Those results would show blood abnormalities and Lyle now faces cancer for the third time.
He was first diagnosed with AML in 1998 and again in 2012. The disease had been in remission long enough for Lyle to make a brief return to the PGA Tour in 2015, where he used a medical exemption before falling short of regaining his card.
But their was troubling news on Wednesday morning, with reports Lyle had been admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The confirmation would arrive later in the day, with Lyle beginning treatment immediately.
"We've just received confirmation that Jarrod does have a relapse of AML, which is what he's had twice already," Briony said.
"Right now, as we're in this room, he's beginning his chemotherapy treatment. We're not sure how long it will be for. The aim of it is to get him into remission."
Briony said her husband had fended off the disease twice before and there had been advances in care since his most recent episode.
"The doctor said today it is a curative intent. The aim is to provide some sort of a cure. They're still doing quite a few more tests. He will require another transplant and it does sound as if the technology has come a long way in the past five years.
"He's got a good track record and that's what everyone keeps reminding themselves. He's done it before, why not a third time. That's the goal."
Fellow players expressed their support for the popular Tour member, with Greg Chalmers among those reaching out via social media, saying it was a heartbreaking moment for an "awesome bloke and his family".
Hearts breaking for this awesome bloke and his family. https://t.co/LL3szSrQya??? Greg Chalmers (@GregChalmersPGA) July 25, 2017
American Billy Horschel was another, urging Lyle to fight on, while Australian cricketing great Dean Jones passed on his best wishes from another sporting community.
You are a fighter Jarrod! Keep fighting my man! Get well soon! https://t.co/Dj1ECnr0uH??? Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) July 26, 2017
I want to send out our love and best wishes from all the cricketing community to @jarrodlylepga who is again in another fight with leukemia!??? Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) July 26, 2017
In other golf news, organisers of the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast will announce a major player signing on Thursday morning. Speculation swirled that it could be Queenslander Jason Day but an international star like Rory McIIroy or Sergio Garcia remains on the cards.
