Jarrod Lyle of Australia, who twice has overcome acute myeloid leukemia, became the second recipient of the PGA Tour Courage Award.
The 34-year-old Lyle returned to the U.S. Tour last season after being declared free of the disease for the second time, the first coming when he was confined to bed for nine months while undergoing chemotherapy in 1999.
“Jarrod is a story of great perseverance and courage in the face of adversity,” Commissioner Tim Finchem of the PGA Tour said. “To battle and overcome leukemia twice is a statement unto itself as to his character.
“But he has also made a significant impression on all of us with his determination to reclaim his career as a professional golfer. Jarrod has a tremendous amount of support behind him, all with their best wishes for his continued good health and success on the PGA Tour in 2016 and beyond.”
The PGA Tour Courage Award is presented to a player who has overcome extraordinary adversity, such as personal tragedy or debilitating injury or illness. Lyle is the second recipient of the Courage Award, joining two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton, who received the award in 2013.
During his fifth season on the PGA Tour in 2012, Lyle learned that the leukemia had returned and he returned to Australia for treatment. His wife, Briony, was pregnant with the couple’s first child, Lusi, at the time.
Lyle was able to hold his daughter when she was born, but was prohibited from doing so while he underwent chemotherapy for the next several months.
Following chemotherapy, a double umbilical cord blood transplant and rehabilitation, Lyle returned to competitive golf in December 2013 at the Australian Masters and made it back to the PGA Tour in October 2014 for the Frys.com Open, where he tied for 31st.
“I am very humbled to be receiving this award from the PGA Tour,” said Lyle, who has eight events remaining on a Major Medical Extension to retain his playing privileges on the tour. It has taken a lot of fighting for me to get back to the PGA Tour, but it has been well worth it.
“For me to get back after the things I have dealt with shows people in similar situations there is hope for them, and if they stay positive and fight for everyday then they can succeed in life. To be back playing with all the guys again and saying thank you was very important to me. The players, officials and fans of the PGA Tour were extremely supportive to me and my family throughout my time away and I can never repay them for that.”
The PGA Tour Courage Award includes a $25,000 charitable contribution to be distributed to a charity of the award recipient’s choice; and Lyle chose Challenge–Supporting Kids with Cancer, an Australian non-profit organization that delivers daily support to children and families living with cancer.
Challenge has helped more than 25,000 children and families deal with cancer since 1983.
