(Reuters) – Nashville golfer Hayden Springer recently earned a spot on the U.S. PGA Tour after finishing fourth at Q-School. He dedicated his achievement to his late daughter, Sage, who passed away last month due to a severe developmental disorder.
Springer, along with his wife Emma, has been mourning the loss of their first-born child, Sage. Her memory served as motivation for Springer during the final round at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. The 26-year-old secured one of the coveted PGA Tour cards awarded to the top five finishers.
Reflecting on Sage’s impact on his life, Springer said, “It’s kind of one of those things that I think about her, and I just think about her smile. Like that’s the thing that I can just close my eyes and think about her smiling, and it’s kind of a grounding, kind of gets you back to neutral.”
Sage’s journey was a testament to her resilience. Despite not being expected to survive past birth, Sage underwent major heart surgery and spent months in the hospital before returning home for constant care. Her joyful nature inspired many around her, bringing smiles to their faces.
Springer, who turned professional in 2019, earned his spot at Q-School after an impressive season in PGA Tour Canada’s Fortinet Cup race. The rain-delayed final round at Sawgrass brought about moments of anxiety, which he spent with his family before returning on Monday to secure his tour card.
Despite some ups and downs in the final round, a tap-in for par on the last hole secured Springer’s fourth-place finish on eight-under. He acknowledged that this achievement was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
Springer’s journey to the U.S. PGA Tour was a bittersweet one, as he honored the memory of his late daughter while also achieving a lifelong dream. His emotional and inspiring story is a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
