PGA Tour golfer takes lead while he thinks he is dying
Even on a good day, shooting a 64 on a PGA Tour-worthy course is quite the feat. Doing it while you think you’re about to die? That’s another story.
Charlie Beljan, a 28-year-old tour rookie, did just that during this week’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Walt Disney World. While playing his Friday front nine, Beljan began experiencing distress and discomfort, suffering shortness of breath and a racing heart, according to NESN. He called to paramedics, who told him that his blood pressure was not healthy. Beljan was bending over and even kneeling to steady himself, but carried on and continued to play, shooting a 64. The score was enough for a three-stroke tournament lead over Charless Howell III, Henrik Stenson and five other competitors heading into weekend play.
Beljan was placed on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance with his eyes closed, hands crossed over his chest immediately after his round was over.
“I think he was scared,” Beljan’s caddie, Rick Adcox, told The Associated Press. “He kept saying he thought he was going to die. He just had that feeling. I don’t know why. But it was spooky.”
Luckily, Beljan felt better after being treated at the hospital. By Friday evening, the PGA Tour and other outlets reported that Beljan intended to play Saturday in hopes of finishing the tournament.
After dedication like that, here’s to hoping Beljan can finish the tournament on top.
