Golf Central

Spare a thought for South Africa's young star Trevor Immelman, the 2006 PGA Tour rookie of the year, who is having a bit of a uncomfortable Christmas this year. It was last Tuesday that the 28-year-old Immelman, the world's 19th-ranked golfer, had to undergo surgery in Johannesburg to remove a growth on his diaphragm.

Immelman won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City South Africa earlier in December with some brilliant golf, but had to withdraw just two holes into his first round at the South African Airways Open at Pearl Valley because intense pain in his right ribcage was causing him difficulty breathing.

Immelman is one of the Tour's truly nice young guys, and when he withdrew after trying to fight through the pain, his first thought was to apologise to playing partners David Frost and Darren Clarke. "This was a really difficult decision to make, one that frustrates me greatly, and I am truly sorry to let you guys down," Immelman said.

It's a good thing he did. The source of the pain was found to be a golf-ball sized growth on his diaphragm, not his ribs. After surgery, Immelman will need 4-8 weeks to recover and get back on the course.

Unfortunately, it's not the first strange ailment to bedevil Immelman. Two nights before the 2007 Masters, the South African had stomach cramps, and was found to have a parasite. That ailment caused Immelman to lose 22 pounds and make two trips to hospital.

Great guy, great talent, and unlucky fellow. But what a future Immelman has if he can stay healthy. Get well soon, Trev ...