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- RUSSELL GOULD with AAP

GOLFING good-guy Jarrod Lyle earned sport-wide tributes yesterday and the big-hearted Victorian was lauded for his fighting qualities.

News Lyle would stop treatment on his third battle with cancer and enter palliative care was described as “devastatin­g” by his peers, who continued to pray for a miracle.

All four major golf tours, and players from Adam Scott to Ernie Els, lauded him for the determinat­ion that helped him beat cancer twice and make a mark on the sport around the world.

At the Fiji Internatio­nal at Natadola Bay starting today, where Lyle played in 2016, golfers will wear “Leuk the Duck” badges, the mascot of the Challenge cancer charity, in support of him and his family

Robert Allenby, a long-time friend and fellow ambassador for Challenge, said Lyle had inspired people beyond golf.

“He is a golfing icon because of the character he has shown to the world,” Allenby told PGATOUR.com.

“You’ll never meet a bigger fighter. I’m not sure anyone could have fought as hard as he has. I know I wouldn’t have had that willpower.”

Tour commission­er Jay Monahan said the golf community was grieving.

“We certainly respect and support his decision to spend the coming days with his beautiful family — it’s a decision true to everything he has stood for throughout his life and career: grace, dignity and an unending love of family,” Monahan said.

Scott, who always took the time to talk to Lyle when they crossed paths, said the father of two was one of the “best blokes there is”.

“Given all the difficulti­es he’s had since his late teens, he has lived the best life he could with the tough cards he has been dealt,” he said.

“His positivity and general demeanour have been so good and so infectious on others; it’s a good way to think of how I should live my life.”

Lucas Herbert, part of golf’s next generation of stars, said he looked up to Lyle, who always gave time to the young players coming through the Aussie system.

“I sort of figured that he would just keep fighting it and keep fighting it until he would eventually get over it,” Herbert said.

“We all have a massive respect for him.”

Jason Day said everyone “loved” Lyle.

“He’s such a good bloke,” Day said.

“It’s not fair he’s going through this.”

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