Malaysian golfer Arie Irawan found dead in his hotel room, leading to cancellation of fourth round of PGA Tour Series-China
- Officials said on Sunday that Irawan had apparently died of natural causes
- The official coroner’s report has not been completed
Officials at the Sanya Championship said Sunday that 28-year-old Malaysian golfer Arie Irawan died in his hotel room from “apparent natural causes,” and the PGA Tour Series-China cancelled the final round of the tournament.
The PGA Tour Series-China said in a statement that Irawan missed the 36-hole cut Friday in the tournament at Sanya Yalong Bay Golf Club. It said the official coroner’s report had not been completed.
“The PGA Tour and the China Golf Association grieve at this loss of one of our members and share sincere condolences with Arie’s wife, Marina, and his parents, Ahmad and Jeny,” the tour said. “When something of this magnitude occurs in the golf world, we all grieve at the same time.
“Out of respect for the family, officials cancelled the final round of the Sanya Championship … it’s a true tragedy what has happened. Sometimes, though, things happen in life that are bigger than a sporting event.”
The PGA Tour China had an “In Memoriam” photo of Irawan prominently displayed on its website Sunday.