Balancing the demands of professional golf with caring for a child fighting a brain tumour is tough. But it’s getting better as Jacob gradually improves. The tumour is still in the brain, but it’s much smaller now. It’s shrunk from a golf-ball size to a pea size and we’ve got to watch it. He’s got to take it one day at a time, but he’s got a smile on his face and is enjoying life again.
Back in May in 2018, Jacob was healthy enough to travel with me to the Memorial Tournament – the US PGA Tour event hosted annually by the great Jack Nicklaus at his Muirfield Village Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio. It was an amazing week when Jacob got to hang out with his dad and see how I go about a tournament.
During one of the rounds, he wasn’t feeling 100 per cent, so I suggested he stay in the clubhouse and hang out. In walks Mr Nicklaus, who took the time to sit down with Jacob for five minutes. Jack knew the story of what Jacob had been through, so he posed for a photo with him and signed a flag, “To Jacob, All the best. Hope you’re feeling better.”
Now Jack is his hero, I guess.
Returning To Golf
The distractions were pretty crazy at times.
I think anyone who thinks they can be calm and go out there, with what was happening, would be kidding themselves. It was life-threatening and he was on the edge. We’re lucky to have Jacob here.
It was life-threatening and he was on the edge. We’re lucky to have Jacob here.
John Senden
I still enjoy my job; now I have to embrace it and go out there and play golf with freedom. I want to prove to myself I can still play the game at a high level. That just comes down to belief, because I’m right there with my preparation and I treat each event like a Major.
I feel a bit more relaxed playing now. I can really narrow my focus and do my job well – enjoy myself and my talent.
I have to take care of my body, practise hard and always be ready for the next tournament. Before Jacob’s diagnosis in 2017, making the cut was normal, but after a 12-month break, making the cut was a big deal. I want to be able to improve on the previous result.
Looking Ahead
There’s no reason not to get excited to play great golf again.
Ball-striking has always been my bread and butter. But it’s strange in that it’s the thing I’ve had to work hardest to get back. It’s just different feels; you hit shots that aren’t going exactly where you want. This is particularly true under the gun – I noticed that at a few events on the US PGA Tour early last year.
I think I need to keep working hard at the routines and put in the mental work to get it back. Technically, I’m pretty solid, but it’s just the feels I’m trying to rediscover.
Going forward, I’d like to keep planning and keep working hard on my game and keep believing that I belong out here. The goal is to get exempt on the PGA Tour again; that’s the first goal for me so I can take my time and plan. I have to be ready to go once I tee it up.
– with Evin Priest
At home recently, John Senden tied for fifth at the Emirates Australian Open. When he returns to the US for the 2019 PGA Tour season, he will be on a major medical exemption.
