Golfers Jarrod Lyle and Matt Millar to headline 2016 Wagga Country Club Pro-Am

Pro-Am chairman Ashley Briggs was delighted to confirm Lyle’s attendance.

“We will be honoured to host Jarrod Lyle in Wagga,” Briggs said.

“A country boy at heart, born at Shepparton, his amazing courage and his battle with leukaemia is legendary among all golfers and the Australian sporting fans.”

Lyle is an iconic figure on and off the course, having twice overcome leukaemia.

The Wagga Pro-Am will support the Challenge Leukaemia Foundation, of which he is an ambassador. 

Lyle, who finished tied for 21^st at the Australian PGA Championship, also plays the US PGA Tour on a medical exemption.

Millar – who has been coming to the Wagga Pro-Am for at least five years – said Lyle is an inspiration to his fellow golfers.

“Absolutely, he’s been through it a couple of times but he keeps getting up and keeps coming back… a lot of people would’ve packed it in a while ago,” Millar said.

“He’s had a lot of tough times but he really is a likeable guy and a good-hearted fella – he’s definitely down to earth and he’s good for a laugh, that’s for sure.”

Millar is enjoying one of his best seasons with 10 top-10 finishes in 13 events.

The 39-year old is third on the Australasian PGA Tour’s order of merit, with more than $170,000 in prizemoney, after finishing equal sixth at both the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Masters.

“Technique-wise I haven't changed anything, it’s pretty much just a different outlook generally –  a lot more belief,” Millar said.

“Sometimes it’s easy to convince yourself to play poorly rather than convincing yourself to play well.”

Peter O’Malley and Craig Parry are also likely to attend again, with O’Malley telling Briggs, “I’ve only got to be in Australia and I’ll be there.”

The Pro-Am is on Thursday March 31 and Friday April 1. 

For information on how to make a donation to Challenge, which supports children and their families living with cancer, go to www.challenge.org.au/how-to-help