Brave Lyle fights
GOLFING good guy Jarrod Lyle earned sport-wide tributes yesterday and the bighearted Victorian was lauded for his fighting qualities.
News that Lyle would stop treatment on his third battle with cancer and enter palliative care was described as “devastating” by his peers who hope for a miracle.
All four major golf tours, and players from Adam Scott to Ernie Els, lauded Lyle 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 Lyle.
Robert Allenby, a long-time Lyle friend and fellow ambassador for Challenge, who together helped raise millions, said he had inspired people beyond the game of 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 entire 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.”
Adam Scott 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,” Scott 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.
“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.”
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
— ADAM SCOTT