“Just Those Memories”: After a Tragic Loss, LPGA Tour Pro Is Making a Comeback With Fond Memories

Golf is such a stressful yet enjoyable sport all at once. Golfers heavily rely on their families for support in their trying times. But when a player loses their family, it is much harder to think of their progress on the greens. US Open winner Wyndham Clark, experienced such a tragedy many years ago and dedicated his maiden win to the woman who inspired him.

An LPGA Tour star also experienced a similar loss and took a hiatus from professional golf. But now she is back in action and has a unique view of the opportunity that presented itself.

Olivia Mehaffey’s return to the LPGA Tour is marked by a sentimental event

In 2021, Olivia Mehaffey, unfortunately, lost her father to colon cancer. Shortly after, she shared that she was suffering from depression due to the loss and took a leave of absence from the LPGA Tour. But now she’s ready to return and play for the title that reminds her of a good time with her father Philip Mehaffey, in her homeland.

The Northern Irish golfer fondly recalls the last time her father saw her play at the ISPS Handa World Invitational at the Galgorm Castle. “Had a good finish the first year I played, so I think if anything, it probably gives me good memories. I try to look at that as a great thing and I enjoyed it so much,” she said as per Irish Golfer.

She talked about how her father was experiencing mobility issues at the time and had to use an accessibility device to get around the golf course.

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She felt his support throughout the time and it still brings back good memories, which she hopes to cherish at the 2023 event. “I think probably just those memories and like how special it was to have him there beside me every shot, every hole,” she shared.

Mehaffey is looking forward to playing in her homeland again, also hoping that she can revive certain good memories while she strives to claim the title.

The ISPS Handa World Invitational will be a spectacular experience for golf fans

The Classic event periodically hosted in Ireland is a tri-sanctioned tournament that invites a group of the top players from the LPGA Tour, the LET Tour, and the DP World Tour as well. The mixed event has a $ 3 million purse that both men and women compete for as equals.

The innovative idea of the tournament invites several spectators who love to see male and female golfers competing against each other. At the ISPS Handa Invitational, there are no biases, but only players working towards a unified goal even if they can only take the prize individually. That’s what makes the event so epic in light of the segregated events throughout the year.

Are you excited about the breakthrough event on the horizon? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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