One of Australia's new crop of professional golfers, Jarrod Lyle turned pro in 2004 and has played on the second-tier Nationwide Tour, the PGA Tour and the PGA Australasian Tour. But Lyle's biggest success did not come on the golf course--rather, he beat acute myeloid leukemia, which he was diagnosed with as a teen-ager in 1999. During his battle with the illness, Lyle developed a friendship and mentor relationship with fellow Australian golfer Robert Allenby.
Since turning pro in 2004, Lyle has had some success, winning twice on the Nationwide Tour.
Professional Career
Lyle won the 2008 Mexican and Knoxville Opens while playing on the Nationwide Tour. These victories catapulted him to fourth on the Nationwide money list with $382,738 in winnings and earned him his PGA Tour card in 2009. Lyle also had earned a spot on the top tour for 2007 after finishing 18th on the Nationwide's money list in 2006. But he finished 183rd in PGA earnings for 2007 and did not keep his playing card.
In 2006, Lyle also finished ninth on the money list on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Amateur Career
Before turning pro, Lyle had a successful amateur career, during which he twice won the Lake Macquarie Amateur (2003, 2004), a 50-year-old Australian amateur event at Belmont Golf Club in Marks Point, New South Wales.
In the Bag
With Titleist as his sponsor, Lyle plays a full set of Titleist clubs and the Pro V1x ball. He carries a 909 series driver (8.5 degrees) and 3-wood, AP2 (3-5) and forged 670 (6-9) irons, three Vokey wedges (49, 56 and 60 degrees) and a Studio Select putter.
Statistics
A decent driver, Lyle hits the ball about 290 yards off the tee, to put him in the top half of all PGA Tour players. He is slightly below the tour average in scoring at 71.05 shots per round and right at the tour average in greens in regulation (64 percent) and putting (29 putts per round).
Personal
Born on Aug. 21, 1981, in Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, Lyle is known as a happy-go-lucky player. Lyle has a website on which he and his family chronicle his experiences, and post photos and schedules. Lyle is an all-around sports fan and sometimes goes by the nickname JLo. Lyle is 6-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 235 pounds. He currently lives in Florida but spends the off-season in Shepparton.
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
