LIV Golf star forced to withdraw from event after being rushed off to surgery

Australian golf star Marc Leishman had to withdraw abruptly from the LIV Golf UK tournament due to appendicitis, causing a significant shift in the tournament dynamics. Leishman started strong with a solid 2-under 69 in Friday’s opening round, positioning him as a contender for the title. However, his condition deteriorated later that evening, leading to an emergency hospital visit where he underwent surgery to remove his appendix.

Wade Ormsby has been called in as a reserve player to replace Leishman in the all-Australian Ripper GC lineup for the remaining rounds at JCB Golf and Country Club. This will mark Ormsby’s third appearance at a LIV Golf event this season.

After being discharged from the hospital, Leishman took to Instagram to explain his situation. He wrote: “Disappointed to have to WD this week but health always comes first. I came to England with an appendix and will leave without it! Appendicitis is no joke. Up the Rippers!”

Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith, who is in contention with a 10-under score and tied for second place, expressed his surprise and concern at the news. Smith, who played alongside Leishman during the first round, recounted how Leishman mentioned feeling a slight belly ache in the morning, but otherwise performed excellently throughout the day.

Smith commented: “Yeah, it was a massive shock, really. I played with him yesterday. He mentioned something to me early in the morning at breakfast that he might have just had a bit of a belly ache from dinner the night before, and that was kind of the last I heard of it. He played well. He struck it well, putted well, did everything good. Didn’t complain once.

“Yeah, it goes to show how tough he is, really. Then after the round just the doctor here told him that he had to go to the hospital, and it was kind of a bit of a shock for everyone because he’d played so well. I think he’s done with surgery now. Looks like he’s come out the other side good. I’m pretty sure he’d want to be in Greenbrier competing, and we definitely want him on our team, too.”

As the tournament heads into its final round on Sunday, Smith is tied with Legion XIII star Tyrrell Hatton, both trailing HyFlyers GC member Andy Ogletree by two shots. In the team standings, Smash GC and Legion XIII are leading at 21-under, promising an exciting finish to the event.