Jarrod Lyle is taking a step back to work on his golf game, which has been tepid since the start of the 2015 portion of this PGA Tour season. However, the two-time leukemia survivors insists that his taking a break from tour isn't related to his health.
"I need to stress that this decision has nothing to do with my recent illness — I am still healthy and cancer-free," Lyle said, via The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Lyle, 33, returned to golf late last year after defeating cancer for the second time and made promising strides with his game by making two cuts. He began to struggle at the beginning of 2015, missing seven cuts in a row before finally making it to the weekend at the Crowne Plaza Invitational this week. However, Lyle didn't make a secondary cut after Saturday's round in Fort Worth.
"As the year progressed, it has become increasingly obvious that I am simply not in a position to compete on the PGA Tour," Lyle said. "My goal every single week out here, just like the rest of the field, is to play my best and to be competitive. Unfortunately I haven't been in real contention in any of the 10 events I have played so far this season. At the moment, I am out here making up the numbers."
For Lyle to earn full playing privileges, he needs to earn $217,680 in his next 10 events while competing under a medical exemption. For context, he has earned $66,145 in his past 10 events, including $12,350 at Colonial.
"My family and I have had a tough road over the last few years, and now that my health has been given the all clear, it is time to turn my attention fully to my career," Lyle said.
"Just like I did whatever it took to fight for my life in the last few years, I am now going to do whatever it takes to fight for my job."