LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida: Charlie Beljan shook off an uncomfortable night in hospital, firing a one-under par 71 yesterday to stay atop the leaderboard in $4.7m US PGA event at Walt Disney World resort.
Beljan defied a doctor’s recommendation, returning to the course a day after an apparent panic attack had left him short of breath and caused his blood pressure to spike.
“I honestly didn’t think I was going to get through it. I just stayed strong,” said Beljan, who even told his caddie on Friday that he feared his life was in jeopardy.
Beljan said he didn’t know until yesterday morning that he’d be able to play.
“They released me this morning ... saying that they thought I was good enough maybe not to go play golf, but at least to leave the hospital,” he said prior to his round.
“I’m making the decision to come out here and play. Who knows if we’ll last two holes?”
Beljan said he began to feel his symptoms return as he approached the turn yesterday. He had a sandwich, tried to keep calm, and emerged with a round good enough for a 13-under total of 203 and a two-shot lead over South Korean Charlie Wi, Josh Teater and Brian Gay.
Wi carded a two-under 70, while Gay and Teater both signed for 67s on the Disney resort’s Magnolia Course.AFP
