Former major champion Shaun Micheel took to Twitter this week to alert followers of what he described as a "multi-vessel heart blockage."
Micheel, who won his first and only PGA Tour title at the 2003 PGA Championship, last teed it up when the season's final major returned to Oak Hill last August, where he had triumphed 10 years prior. He missed the cut in all five events he entered in 2013, and Micheel last played the weekend at the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic.
The 45-year-old first offered a somewhat vague message Wednesday, explaining that he would soon undergo a medical procedure:
Got some scary news late today, but have a great team of doctors in place. Ready to get this procedure done and back out on the course soon!
— Shaun Micheel (@shaunmicheelpga) February 19, 2014
Hospital at 6 am. Thx for all of the calls, texts and tweets! Sure wish it was a shoulder or knee issue. Will know more tomorrow afternoon!
— Shaun Micheel (@shaunmicheelpga) February 20, 2014
He returned to Twitter a day later, this time with further details of his sobering diagnosis and plans for treatment.
Why do doctors tell you to relax as they give you the worst case scenario? Deep breathing has taken on a whole new meaning.
— Shaun Micheel (@shaunmicheelpga) February 20, 2014
Multi vessel heart blockage...R coronary artery blocked 99%. Heart created another vessel that bypassed the other. Very lucky. Bypass may
— Shaun Micheel (@shaunmicheelpga) February 20, 2014
Still be necessary but going to try another method of treatment first. Hope that works. Thanks for all of your support!
— Shaun Micheel (@shaunmicheelpga) February 20, 2014
This marks the second time in as many weeks that a former PGA champion has been forced to deal with a serious heart ailment. Last week, Hal Sutton - who lifted the Wanamaker Trophy at Riviera in 1983 - suffered a mild heart attack while playing in a Champions Tour event in Florida.
