Is Trisomy 18 Curable? All About the Chromosomal Condition That Changed PGA Tour Pro Hayden Springer’s Life Upside Down

They say that the smallest coffins are the heaviest! They are right. The PGA Tour pro Hayden Springer can sadly confirm this. His daughter, Sage Elyse Springer was born on October 1, 2020. Even before birth, Sage’s life was threatened by a chromosomal condition called trisomy 18. A disease that would end up changing his life forever.

What is trisomy 18?

Trisomy 18, also called Edwards syndrome, is a severe genetic condition that is incurable. It is characterized by abnormalities in multiple parts of the body, stemming from chromosomal issues. This condition occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 18, instead of the usual two copies. Because it involves chromosomes, trisomy 18 affects individuals even before birth, leading to intrauterine growth retardation, which results in slow growth before birth and low birth weight.

Infants with this condition typically exhibit distinctive physical features that make them recognizable. These features often include a prominent back of the head, small eyes, mouth, and jaw, extra skin folds at the back of the neck, and others. As Springer’s wife revealed, “We were told she would live 1 to 3 days, basically, if she survived delivery.” 

She would be admitted to the hospital just once a week and enjoy activities like swimming with her father. As the golfer’s wife said, they had quite a few stretches, and the little one would smile from her heart and play so much with everyone around her. The couple did not anticipate bringing their newborn home, and even the moment they got to bring her home was a joyful miracle. The couple kept praying and hoping that their doctors were wrong, but unfortunately, they weren’t.

This condition also puts infants at risk of dying before birth or within the first month after birth. However, a small percentage of infants manage to survive beyond their first year, estimated at only 5–10%. It seems Sage belongs to the 5–10% of infants who survive past their first year. However, tragically, she passed away on November 13, 2023, at the age of three, leaving a profound impact on his father’s life.

Daughter continues to inspire Hayden Springer on the greens

Following Sage’s passing at the age of 3, her father, Hayden Springer, held onto her memories and, with a heavy heart, continued to play. Just a month later, Springer earned his PGA Tour card with a T-4 finish at the Q-School presented by the Korn Ferry Tour.

Following this achievement, the pro revealed, “I can just close my eyes and think about her smiling.” It was evident that Springer was thinking about Sage all the time as he further revealed, “Not thinking about golf, not thinking about the last shot, the next shot.” Carrying her memories, Springer held onto the game and now continues his journey with it.

Notably, instead of dwelling on things beyond his control, the PGA Tour rookie shifted his focus to what he could control. He finished T3 at the Puerto Rico Open. The little soul did her best, defied the odds, and enjoyed her life the her loving parents as much as she could till 3. May the little soul rest in peace, and keep guiding her father from heaven.