POPUPAR Aussie golfer Peter Lonard has announced he is undergoing keyhole surgery for hip and knee injuries and is expected to be out of action for around three months.

The 42 year old has suffered from a number of back and other complaints in recent times and last year lost the US PGA Tour card he has held for eight years.

Lonard had an ok week at the Moonah Classic last week and was reasonably happy with his comeback following an enforced two month break after back pains caused his withdrawal from the PGA Tour qualifying in November.

Lonard announced on his website this week that the problem had been isolated to the hip by specialists in Sydney but, on the recommendation of the PGA Tour’s medical team, he met with a specialist on Monday and was advised that he should seriously consider having surgery for both his hip and knee at the same time.

“I figure that I may as well go ahead and get them both done now as the sooner it is done the sooner it will be over and I can get back playing again,” he said.

“Both the Specialist and the Surgeon involved are highly regarded in dealing with sports injuries and have indicated I will be out of tournament golf for three months but were adamant that if it was not done soon then it was only going to get worse.”

“The knee issue has developed almost as a result of the pain in the hip and has blown up quite a lot over the past few weeks. I actually felt quite good fitness wise at the weekend at Moonah but understand this needs to be done now if I am to extend my playing career.”

“The procedure itself will not take long but given that both will be done at once I will be incapacitated for a few weeks and it may be at least two months before I can get back to hitting balls again.

“I am disappointed and it is frustrating but there really is little option.”

Lonard, a PGA Tour winner and one of the most successful Australian golfers domestically, has a one year exception on the Nationwide Tour and is still hopefully of regaining his PGA Tour status.

No related posts.