“Tumor Right Above His Heart”: KFT Pro Quits Golf After the Cancer Diagnosis
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The Korn Ferry Tour community is rallying behind Brendan Valdes as he takes an indefinite leave from golf following a primary mediastinal lymphoma diagnosis.
Korn Ferry Tour shared the unfortunate news on X, bringing in some of Valdes’ mates. One of his collegiate teammates, John Marshall Butler, pointed out that Valdes has “an aggressive form of cancer.” But the doctors caught it in the nick of time.
“That’s a shock. But at the end of the day, he’s got a 9 cm tumor right above his heart. And he’s in great spirits. He’s doing everything he needs to do. And he’s gonna make a full comeback.”
This would have been Valdes’ first full season on the Korn Ferry Tour. But the 22-year-old has to undergo chemotherapy. Right now, he’s in Auburn, Alabama, and continues his treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Meanwhile, another one of his college teammates, Carson Bacha, said, “He’s a super-strong kid. Nobody’s gonna fight like he will. Obviously, it’s a tough situation to be in. But I think he’s a guy that’ll be able to get through any problem.”
Brendan Valdes aced collegiate golf as a three-time All-American and twice a first-teamer. He even helped the Tigers lead the 2024 NCAA Championship.
Valdes currently holds school records with 558 career birdies, 25 top-10 finishes, 57 rounds in the 60s, and 81 subpar rounds.
But can we expect a comeback?
Brendan Valdes Releases a Note on Social Media
Not too long ago, after wrapping up his first chemotherapy session, Valdes shared a note on social media to let the public in on his condition.
“Life, like golf, is often unpredictable,” he wrote. “I have recently completed my first round of chemotherapy, and while a long journey lies ahead, my treatments should have me back on the golf course and completely healthy this year.”
Valdes went on to thank Callaway and Adidas for sponsoring him, and the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour staff for the constant support. With gratitude for his doctors, friends, family, and Rachel Gourley, his fiancée, he made a comeback statement.
“I look forward to a return to competition… I’ll be back!”
Primary mediastinal lymphoma is highly treatable with a success rate of above 80%. Given Valdes’ first successful chemotherapy session, his return might be medically plausible by the end of the year. And regarding his condition, many patients have achieved long-term remission or have been completely cured.
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu