‘There’s a Missing Piece’: Hayden Springer Keeps Late Daughter’s Legacy Alive Amid Emotional PGA Tour Debut

Hayden Springer admits, “There is a missing piece.” The PGA Tour rookie is just two months removed from losing his firstborn. Sage Springer, born with Trisomy 18, passed away last November, a month before Hayden Springer earned his Tour card.

Although doctors initially told Sage wouldn’t leave beyond 72 hours, she went on to grace her parents’ laps for three years, continuously raising the hopes of her family. These three years have also been a learning experience for them. Springers has also started a non-profit. Asked more about this, the Dallas native revealed how he is honoring his late daughter.

Hayden Springer values the little moments

Springer doesn’t have any special plans to honor his late daughter at La Quinta. But to remember her, the rookie has marked his wedge with his daughter’s name. “I’ve had my wedges stamped with her name on it, just to kind of, you know, a fun thing to remember her,” Springer told the journalists at the press conference.

But the 27-year-old plans to remember her in the next few months in some other way, however. Springer said he might wear pink apparel in some future events because that was his late daughter’s favorite color. “I’ll probably wear a pink shirt too, her favorite color was pink, so just do little stuff like that,” the Dallas native added.

When asked if any other families had reached out to them, Hayden Springer nodded in agreement. To support the families struggling with Trisomy 18, and spread more awareness about the rare disease, Springer “started a nonprofit called Extra to Love. [Through] that we’re supporting Trisomy families, and we’ve done that for a few years now.” Sage Springer, as both the PGAT Pro and his wife said earlier, was always special.

How Sage Springer defied all odds, and so did her dad

Springer’s daughter, Sage, was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a rare genetic disorder. Most children with Trisomy 18 are stillborn. Others, generally, don’t live longer than a few weeks. The Springer family was informed the same when Emma Springer was five months pregnant. But Sage defied all odds, celebrated three birthdays, and also became an older sister as well.

Read More: ‘I Can Just Close My Eyes and Think About Her’- 26-Year-Old Golfer Fulfills His Bittersweet PGA Dream

But on November 13, Emma Springer wrote, “Her wild and silly spirit is no longer limited by her earthly body.” Her husband teed up at the PGA Tour qualifier next month. Coming within the top five with a heavy heart, the 27-year-old punched his Tour ticket. Hayden Springer is teeing up at the American Express, tied for fifth place as of the time of publication.

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