Golfer Camilo Villegas’ baby daughter dies
Golf star Camilo Villegas’ broke down in tears when speaking about his 22-month-old daughter who died last month due to rumours on her brain and spine.
Villegas, 38, had one child who tragically passed away in Miami after surgery and chemotherapy, The Sun initially reported..
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement: “The PGA Tour is deeply saddened having lost a member of our family, Mia Villegas.
“We grieve with Camilo and Maria and our thoughts and prayers are with the Villegas family.”
Villegas has yet to speak on his family’s major tragedy, but could not hold back his tears when he spoke on his little girl’s battle in June.
While speaking at TPC Sawgrass, Villegas admitted life had been hard for the family since they learnt about Mia’s illness, saying: “It’s been tough.
“I’m probably going to get emotional but that’s fine.
“It’s inspiring, to see my little one fighting.
“My wife has been very strong, and you’ve got to follow your instincts, and honestly I don’t know if my instincts are to come play this week.
“I don’t really know where my mind is. I know where my heart is. But you also have to listen to the people that love you.
“My wife said, ‘Just go out there and enjoy. Golf is what you’ve done for years, golf has given you so many great things’.”
The golfing star and his wife Maria first noticed something was wrong when Mia began crying more than usual back in February.
The Colombian golfer, who reached a high of No. 7 in the world rankings in September 2008, said: “She always went to the gym with me; it was one of our bonding spots.
“She was always like a little monkey, climbing on everything. But then one day, I noticed she had not been climbing on anything.
“She had also been crying a little more than normal at night.
“She had been teething, so we took her to the paediatrician, thinking it was that.”
On March 14 the couple took their little girl to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami for scans.
It was then they learnt that doctors had found tumours were growing on her brain and spine.
Mia underwent surgery but doctors informed Villegas and his wife that there would be more treatment required.
Villegas went on to say: “After the surgery, when it was time to remove the stitches, they learned the growth had become pretty aggressive.
“We were told we needed to start treatment right away, so they kept us there. Physically, though, she wasn’t ready to get the kind of chemo doctors were hoping for.”
Villegas has not played since finishing 33rd at the Korn Ferry Tour event in June.