Lyle vows to beat cancer a third time
TORQUAY golfer Jarrod Lyle has promised to give what may be his third battle with leukaemia “a smashing”.
The 35-year-old, who has twice beaten acute myeloid leukaemia, was admitted to Royal Melbourne Hospital after routine blood tests returned abnormal results.
Doctors still need to conduct a series of tests to determine the exact nature of Lyle’s illness, but the golf star is bracing for another fight with the disease.
“A routine blood test conducted earlier this week returned abnormal results and Jarrod was immediately admitted to hospital and placed under the care of his previous medical specialist,” his family said in a statement.
“He will remain there at least until a full diagnosis has been made.
“He has undergone several tests and will have several more in the coming days.
“At this point we have not yet received complete test results, so there is no definitive diagnosis and we do not have an agreed treatment plan.
“We cannot speculate about anything until we get more information. We are grateful to be surrounded by incredibly supportive people and we truly appreciate your consideration and respect for our privacy at this time.”
Lyle beat the disease in 1998 and again in 2012.
After going into remission in 2000, Lyle went on to have a successful golf career abroad.
He won twice on the Web. Com Tour and spent several seasons on the PGA Tour.
However, blood cancer again halted his career when he suffered a relapse in 2012.
He was fighting for his life at the time his daughter Lusi was born.
The Torquay Sands member returned to professional golf at the Australian Masters in 2013. And after beating the disease for a second time he returned to the PGA Tour under a medical exemption in 2015 with the aim of winning back his card. But he fell short. He returned to the region last year with his wife Briony, Lusi and his youngest daughter, Jemma.
Lyle stepped away from full-time golf, spending time in The Sands pro shop and working shifts at Golf Clearance Outlet in Geelong.
He was contemplating playing once again on the PGA Tour of Australasia and proams around the country.
That is all on hold now, with Lyle to take an indefinite break from playing.
Support flooded in from the golf community for the muchloved Lyle yesterday.
Rod Pampling tweeted: “So sad to hear, fight hard Champ. We are all thinking of you and your family.”
Mark Hensby followed with: “So sad to hear about Jarrod Lyle back in hospital. He’s inspired many and will do again, I believe. He’s an inspiration and a true hero.”
Among well wishers was the Australian PGA.
In a reply to PGA golfer Bobby Gates, Lyle said he “will give it (his latest health battle) a smashing”.