World in shock over Aussie golfer's tragic decision
Aussie golfer Jarrod Lyle will be surrounded by family and friends in his final days after making the heartbreaking decision to end active treatment in his fight against cancer and begin palliative care.
The 36-year-old has been fighting his third cancer battle since last year, after there was a recurrence of acute myeloid leukaemia.
Lyle’s wife, Briony, shared the decision on Lyle’s social media pages on Tuesday night, saying his “poor body cannot take any more”.
Briony has been posting updates about her husband’s health in recent months, revealing that Lyle has partially lost his eyesight and is having speech difficulties.
"Earlier today Jarrod made the decision to stop active treatment and begin palliative care," Briony wrote.
"He has given everything that he's got to give, and his poor body cannot take anymore.
"We'll be taking him closer to home in the next couple of days so he can finally leave the hospital.
"We have done our best to 'control' the narrative surrounding Jarrod's illness and treatment, and as more and more people become involved in this final process I'm not sure how much longer this development will remain private.
"Jarrod knows he is loved, and the thousands of prayers and well wishes that have been sent his way have kept him going through some incredibly tough times.
"But he has reached his limit, and the docs have finally agreed that they can no longer strive for a positive outcome.
"My focus as of today is on our girls and doing whatever I can to get them through the challenges ahead.
"Jarrod will be closer to them very soon, and will spend as much time as he can with them.
"When it's appropriate, I will post details of a memorial service. In the meantime we ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time."
Lyle first beat cancer as a teenager in 1998 and then again in 2012, allowing him to return to play professional golf.
Fellow golfers and fans across the world have sent their heartfelt support to Lyle and his family during this time.
Former world No. 1 Adam Scott said Lyle had been an inspiration to him for the past 20 years.
"I can't imagine being in that position; it's unthinkable," Scott said.
"He is 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 played such good golf while battling illness; he has been through it all.
"His positivity and general demeanour has been so good and so infectious on others; it's a good way to think of how I should live my life.
"It shouldn't have to have something like this to remember that's what it's all about."
Three-time US Tour winner Marc Leishman also shared about how Lyle had impacted him.
"I'm absolutely gutted for the whole family, Briony and the kids," Leishman said.
"It's been a hard road for Jarrod for so long, and he has fought so hard.
"He has always been the life of the party. He is a larger than life character and an inspiration to so many of us."
Former golf World No. 1 Jason Day, actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, rugby league player Ashton Sims and AFL star Mitch Duncan also joined the wave of people sharing tributes in honour of Jarrod Lyle.