Jarrod Lyle: Call for pro golfers to wear yellow as tributes, donations pour in
HIS yellow bucket hat became Jarrod Lyle’s calling card and in the wake of his sad passing the golfing world is going to embrace the ‘big fella’s’ colour of choice to remember him by.
Golf
Don't miss out on the headlines from Golf. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Obituary: Jarrod Lyle inspired all who came in touch with him
- Golfing world in mourning after Jarrod Lyle loses battle with cancer
AUSTRALIAN golfers at home and abroad will be encouraged to wear yellow on the opening day of every tournament for the rest of the year as a tribute to Jarrod Lyle, who passed away on Wednesday night.
Heartfelt tributes flowed from golf’s biggest names for Lyle and fundraising efforts for his wife Briony, and daughters Lusi, 6, and Jemma, 2, continued to swell after news of his passing.
The Australian PGA plans to email all members asking them to don some yellow gear for the first round of events beginning with the Northern Territory PGA in Palmerston next week.
There are also plans being formed by US PGA tour officials to commemorate Lyle at this week’s PGA Championship where Aussies, including Marc Leishman and Jason Day, will play saddened by their friend’s death.
“It’s a life taken way too soon,” Leishman said.
“He showed us how to face the toughest times with the utmost positivity and his fight to the very end was so inspiring.”
Day said Lyle wouldn’t be forgotten.”
“Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Jarrod Lyle. Jarrod will forever be an inspiration to us. Ellie, Dash, Lucy and I send condolences to Briony, Lusi and Jemma. Rest easy mate. We will miss you.”
Lyle’s long-time friend Robert Allenby, who, with Lyle, raised millions for kids cancer charity Challenge, said it was the “saddest day ever”.
“Kinda lost for words. Jarrod Lyle was the greatest bloke you’ll ever meet, not once in 20 years did I ever here him complain,” Allenby said on Twitter.
Players preparing for the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in Missouri were hit hard by the news, including defending champion Justin Thomas who said “We lost a great one today”.
Bryson de Chambeau donated his entire $33,000 prize for winning the long-drive competition to the Lyle family and the fund that will help with his daughter’s education.
“His kids are suffering, the whole family is, I thought it would be the right thing to do,” De Chambeau said.
Because Lyle battled cancer as a teenager, he was unable to get life insurance, and funds raised will go into a trust for his two daughters.
A Go Fund Me page set-up by American pro Tripp Isenhour, a long-time friend of Lyle, has raised more than $160,000, including $10,000 from the Tiger Woods foundation and $5000 from world No.7 Jon Rahm.
Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama also made a personal donation of $50,000 to the Lyle family.
Despite not ever winning a US PGA Tour event, commissioner Jay Monahan said Lyle had left a lasting impression and his family had the sympathy of the entire golf community.
“Jarrod was a true inspiration in the way he faced cancer with a persistently positive attitude and he carried himself with incredible grace, dignity and courage through the recurrences of this relentless disease,” Monahan said.
“We will continue to honour his life and legacy, and that includes helping to support the needs of his family in the months and years to come.”
There are also plans to commemorate Lyle at Friday’s Victorian Golf Industry Awards, and at both the Australian PGA and Australian Open later this year.
LIVE Stream all 4 golf majors on Fox Sports! SIGN UP NOW >
Major call looms for Hodge after NZ PGA Championship win
Fresh off claiming the New Zealand PGA Championship on Sunday, Tyler Hodge has revealed there’s a possibility he could call time on his professional career during the winter. See what he said.
Day sizzles with putter
Former world No.1 golfer Jason Day has rediscovered his form with the putter after seeking the help of the coach who guided him for 20 years.