The beautiful trait that perfectly summed up Jarrod Lyle
Jarrod Lyle’s warmth and generosity and the reason the sporting world is so saddened by the golfer’s passing have been wonderfully summed up by one of his former peers.
Lyle died on Wednesday night at the age of just 36 after battling acute myeloid leukemia for a third time.
A loveable and popular member of the world of golf, Lyle’s tragic passing has touched his former rivals from all over the world.
Fox Sports commentator and former professional, Paul Gow, was a good friend of Lyle’s and knew better than most just how special the father-of-two was.
“We’ve lost one of the great humans, I called him just a good bloke,” Gow told Fox Sports News.
RIP @jarrodlylepga you are what we Aussies call “ Just a good bloke”#uwillbemissed
— Paul Gow (@paulgow) August 8, 2018
How to donate directly to Jarrod Lyle's family or via Challenge cancer network. https://t.co/UkJMkqGAAF Please spread the word. @Golf_Vic @PGAofAustralia
— Golf Australia (@GolfAust) August 3, 2018
“That’s what he was and he was the guy everybody wanted to be around because he was so jovial. We called him the Big Fella.
“He’ll be sorely missed.”
Gow says one incredible trait perfectly sums up the incredible human being that Lyle was – even during his darkest days.
“He was always about someone else.
“He had this uncanny ability while fighting this ugly disease to turn the conversation back onto you and not him.
“He was an amazing, amazing human. He was always about other people rather than himself.”
The flood of tributes to Lyle on social media told the same story about the loveable Aussie larrikin.
It is through a river of tears I say goodbye to my friend Jarrod Lyle. A wonderful father, friend and golfer. Quick with a joke, didn’t mind a beer, and just a pure joy to be around every day. Miss you mate. RIP
— Greg Chalmers (@GregChalmersPGA) August 8, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Jarrod Lyle. Jarrod will forever be an inspiration to us alI. Ellie, Dash, Lucy and I send condolences to Briony, Lusi and Jemma. Rest easy mate. We will miss you.
— Jason Day (@JDayGolf) August 9, 2018
We are very sad to hear of Jarrod Lyle’s passing. He fought a good fight and will be forever remembered for his courage, strength, perseverance and the light he brought to all of our lives. The world lost a good man. RIP Jarrod. – Ernie, Liezl, Samantha and Ben
— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) August 8, 2018
Gow praised the 36-year-old’s tremendous fighting spirit after he twice fought off cancer to successfully return to golf.
“He’s the bravest guy I’ve known because he took this head on and he was just battling it as hard as he could,” Gow said.
“He went back to play 20 events on the US Tour… and that’s where he got a huge amount of respect from the players because there’s not many who could come back from that and it was a tough ride for him.
“What I will remember is this big, fun-loving guy that just made you feel so good. He was amazing.”
Tiger Woods is among a growing list of professional golfers to donate to a GoFundMe page set up to support Lyle’s two daughters.
The page titled ‘Jarrod Lyle’s Girls’ has already raised more than $90,000 since it was set up earlier in the week.
The PGA Championship — golf’s fourth and final major of the year — is sure to be played under a cloud of sorrow when it gets underway on Thursday night.