The Loop
Klauk to undergo first of three possible brain surgeries
You don't hear brain surgery associated with golf too often, but a second golfer on the PGA Tour will be forced to undergo brain surgery in less than a year's span.
Jeff Klauk will have one of three possible surgeries necessary to remove a "spot on the brain" that has caused epileptic seizures since 2006, as reported by the Florida Times-Union yesterday.
(Jeff Klauk with his wife Shanna after he won the Melwood Prince Georges County Open on the Nationwide Tour in 2008. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
Back in September, 2008 Ryder Cup and two-time PGA Tour winner J.B. Holmes underwent successful surgery to remove pressure on his brain. Holmes' recover was rather quick--the University of Kentucky grad has played in eight events in 2012, nine including this week's Valero Texas Open, and finished in the top 10 twice.
Klauk, who made $1.24 million in 2009, his rookie season on the PGA Tour with three top-10s and a T-14 at The Players Championship, told the newspaper that the first surgery taking place today will be more of an exploratory one, which will then be followed by at least one additional surgery to remove the brain tissue causing his seizures.
Klauk's first seizure came in 2006 the week of a Nationwide Tour event, which forced him into a hospital. However, he played some of his best golf two seasons later, so Klauk, who grew up in Ponte Vedra Beach as his father was superintendent at TPC Sawgrass, has dealt with the issue.
While Klauk's condition appears to be more severe with multiple surgeries, he must be comforted by Holmes' quick recovery. Klauk last played on the PGA Tour last June at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
--Stephen Hennessey