LIV Golf star forced to withdraw from event after being rushed off to surgery

Marc Leishman enjoyed a solid first round at LIV Golf UK before he was forced to go to hospital to the surprise of Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith, who is in contention on Sunday

Marc Leishman was forced to withdraw from LIV Golf UK on Friday evening(Getty Images)

Australian golf star Marc Leishman abruptly withdrew ahead of the second round of LIV Golf UK after suffering appendicitis.

The Ripper GC star started with a solid 2-under 69 in Friday’s opening round, placing him in the mix for a potential title push. Instead, Leishman was rushed to the hospital later that evening to undergo surgery to remove his appendix.

Reserve player Wade Ormsby is replacing Leishman in the all-Australian Ripper lineup for the final two rounds at JCB Golf and Country Club. Ormsby will make his third appearance at a LIV Golf tournament this season.

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Meanwhile, Leishman took to social media to explain his condition after getting discharged from the hospital. In an Instagram post on Saturday morning, the 40-year-old wrote: “Disappointed to have to WD this week but health always comes first.

“I came to England with an appendix and will leave without it! Appendicitis is no joke. Up the Rippers!”

Ripper Captain Cam Smith confirmed the news at the driving range. Smith, who is tied for second through two rounds with a 10-under score, told reporters: “Yeah, it was a massive shock, really. I played with him yesterday.

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Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith hopes Marc Leishman ill return for LIV Greenbrier in three weeks(PA)

“He mentioned something to me early in the morning at breakfast that he might have just had a bit of a belly ache from dinner the night before, and that was kind of the last I heard of it. He played well. He struck it well, putted well, did everything good. Didn’t complain once.

“Yeah, it goes to show how tough he is, really. Then after the round just the doctor here told him that he had to go to the hospital, and it was kind of a bit of a shock for everyone because he’d played so well.

“I think he’s done with surgery now. Looks like he’s come out the other side good. I’m pretty sure he’d want to be in Greenbrier competing, and we definitely want him on our team, too.”

Smith is tied with Legion XIII star Tyrrell Hatton with the pair two shots behind HyFlyers GC member Andy Ogletree. Smash GC and Legion XIII lead the team standings at 21-under ahead of the final round on Sunday.