'TOUGH BUT INSPIRING'
Golfer Camilo Villegas breaks down in tears as he reveals 20-month-old daughter has brain and spine tumours
GOLFER Camilo Villegas broke down in tears as he bravely opened up on his 20-month-old daughter's battle with cancer.
The Colombian player, 38, returned to action on the Korn Ferry Tour this week at TPC Sawgrass, hitting a three-under-par 67 to be T10 after the first round.
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But his result and performance pales into insignificance as he returns to the course with his daughter fighting for her life.
In February, Villegas and his wife Maria noticed baby Mia was crying more than usual and decided to get her checked over at the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, supported by legendary golfer Jack and his wife Barbara.
Mia, born in September 2018, was diagnosed with tumours of the brain and spine and is now undergoing her second round of chemotherapy with a third course planned.
And in an incredibly moving and powerful interview with the media at Sawgrass, a visibly-emotional Villegas described what life has been like for the family since the shock news.
He said: "It's been tough. It's good to be here. I'm probably going to get emotional but that's fine.
"It's inspiring, to see my little one fighting.
"I love golf, my wife wanted me to come here and just swing the club, get my mind away.
"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.'"
Villegas and his wife continue to share plenty of photos of their beautiful daughter on social media, expressing their immense pride as she battles each day.
The Colombian - who reached No7 in the world golf rankings in September 2008 - is inspired by his child daily, especially when he sees her struggling and in pain, or receiving such serious treatment.
He added: "To see a little one fight for their life like this, it’s cool, man. It’s our reality, that’s what I tell my wife. We’ve got no other option than to be strong and to support her and to send her good energy.
“This is not about feeling sorry for the Villegas family, this is about sending the Villegas family good energy, support and inspiration. That's what Mia has been doing for me the last couple of months.
"Little Mia is inspiring the last few months to keep doing what we’re doing. She keeps inspiring me. Man, what they go through, it's unbelievable.
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“I remember the first thing the doctor said. He said, ‘Listen man, if we gave you the chemo we’re going to give her, you wouldn’t make it.’ So, they can take a lot. And I've seen that over the last two-and-a-half months.
"Is she in pain? Yes she is. She keeps waking up the next day, looking at the TV and she wants me to put some cartoons on. She's feeling pain, she's playing with her toys.
"I remember at the beginning, she kept crying and playing. I didn’t really get that. How can you cry and play? But she wanted to play. So, they’re strong. They’re strong. It’s inspiring to watch. Tough, but inspiring."
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