Marc Leishman returns after wife’s health scare

Marc Leishman returned to the PGA Tour on Thursday, shooting 2-over 74 in the first round of Zurich Classic of New Orleans. However, the Australian came back with a new perspective, relieved his wife will survive a major health scare.

Leishman withdrew from the Masters two weeks ago, citing his wife Audrey’s condition. The severity of the situation, however, was unclear. As it turns out, Audrey was facing both acute respiratory distress syndrome and toxic shock syndrome. At one point, her doctors gave her just a five percent chance of surviving.

“It wasn’t looking good for her survival,” Leishman said, according to the Australian Associated Press. “It was shattering. The toxic shock syndrome started shutting down all of her organs.”

Initially, Audrey believed she was dealing with the flu, but on March 31 decided to go to the hospital. Fortunately for Audrey, doctors were able to flip her onto her stomach to help drain fluid that had built up in her lungs. She was in a medically induced coma for four days.

“The only thing in our favor was she was fit, goes to the gym all the time, is young and has two young kids and a real will to live,” Leishman said. “Thankfully in the end, that’s what got her through.”

Leishman lost 10 lbs in just a few days, doing what he could to remain supportive and lend whatever help he could to his ailing wife.

As Audrey recovers and regains strength, she is grateful for the doctors who saved her life and the outpouring of support.

“I never really allowed myself to ask why it happened I have instead chosen to focus on the fact that I survived and the amount of love and support everyone has shown us,” she said. “It has been so overwhelming and humbling to see how many people are in our corner and supported us.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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