While millions of viewers around the world witnessed the miraculous comeback of Tiger Woods at the Masters, the family and friends of 28-year-old Malaysian golfer Arie Irawan were still reeling from his sudden death on Sunday, April 7.
Irawan had missed the cut at the Sanya Championship in China but decided to remain at his resort area hotel for the weekend. On Sunday morning, fellow golfer and hotel roommate Kevin Techakanokboon found Irawan unresponsive in his bed.
Before medical help arrived, golfer Shotaro Ban was summoned and attempted to administer CPR to Irawan, but Irawan remained unresponsive.
According to the PGA Tour Series-China, the coroner’s report concluded that Irawan passed away due to “sudden death from natural causes in his sleep at the hotel.”
Following the news of his death, the PGA canceled the final round of the Sanya Championship and awarded the victory to the leader after the third round.
“This is just a terrible tragedy that affects all of us who are part of a very tight-knit family here in China,” PGA Tour Series-China Executive Director Greg Carlson said. “We had great affinity for Arie and we will profoundly miss him.”
Although a toxicology report came out clear of any drugs, the Straits Times reports that a full autopsy will not be performed at the request of Arawan’s family out of respect for Muslim rites. His body was flown to Malaysia from China on Wednesday, April 10.
After attending the University of Tulsa for four years, Irawan turned pro in 2013 and made a quick impact on the Asian golf scene, winning twice on the Asian Developmental Tour before injuring his shoulder in a motorcycle accident.
He was known as a happy and approachable person who put others before himself, even caddying for his friend Techakanokboon last year on the way to a win. Irawan had missed the cut in that tournament but decided to help out his friend.
“Arie had a lot of experience and was wise beyond his years,” Techakanokboon said. “He really carried himself as a professional all the time. I’m going to miss him.”
Irawan’s death comes as several young athletes have suddenly died for a variety of reasons, including heart attacks and heat stroke. From football to soccer to track and field, athletes face a level of intensity in training never seen before.
It is certainly possible that Irawan is the latest victim of modern training regimens.