Padraig Harrington, the leading Irish player in the world has pulled out of this week's Open championship following the death of his father Patrick.
Harrington was told the week after his victory in the Honda Classic in America in March that his father, a former Garda, had contracted cancer of the oesophagus.
It was touch and go at the time whether the world number nine played in the Masters, but his father's condition was such that he was able to make the trip.
Harrington went on to win the Barclays Classic but his father's condition had since worsened.
The Dubliner revealed in March how his father - a keen golfer and an outstanding Gaelic footballer - had been key to his success.
"I've had the best possible background for playing golf, for playing all sports," he said.
"I couldn't have got more encouragement from my dad without ever in any sense pushing or wanting to live his life through my sports."
