US Tour pitches in to help Lyle in cancer fight
THE US PGA Tour is lending its support to Torquay golfer Jarrod Lyle in his toughest battle with cancer yet.
It has launched a “January for Jarrod” initiative to help Lyle and his young family after he recently underwent a third round of bone marrow transplant following a recurrence of acute myeloid leukaemia.
Fans are able to offer nontax-deductible donations at www.youcaring.com/januaryforjarrod, with all proceeds going to the Lyles to offset daily living, family and medical expenses.
“It’s an unbelievable idea from the Tour,” said Australian No. 1 and fellow Victorian Marc Leishman.
“He’s having his struggles and those medical bills add up pretty quick so it’s great the Tour is thinking about their players. I think he’ll be emotional because any time you have people thinking about you brings that out. To know his tour family is right behind him is great.
“He’s such a big personality and a great guy and it’s nice to know we can help him out.”
The Tour has also produced a linear photo of the top 12 players in the world, who are signing beneath their photos. Twelve of them will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Lyle family.
“It’s of utmost importance for the PGA Tour family and the golf community to come together and help Jarrod and his family both spiritually and financially during January for Jarrod month,” said Andy Pazder, the tour’s chief of tournaments and competitions.
Lyle first was diagnosed at age 17, and he went on to earn a PGA Tour card eight years later.
His fifth season, which included a tie for fourth at the LA Open, was cut short when he had a recurrence and headed home to Australia for chemotherapy and rehabilitation.
He returned at the Australian Masters at the end of 2013. He played eight PGA Tour events in 2016 and only three times on the Australasian Tour in 2017.