Golfer on Canadian Pro Tour Dies After Leaving Tournament

Lewis Chitengwa, who had complained of a high fever and withdrew from the Edmonton Open before Saturday’s third round, died at a hospital later in the day, according to the Canadian Professional Golf Tour. He was 26.

No other details were released, pending notification of the golfer’s family.

He was sponsored by PGA Tour star Nick Price, also a native of Zimbabwe.

Chitengwa had shot a four-under-par 67 Friday at the Edmonton Country Club and was at 137 for 36 holes, five strokes behind co-leaders Doug McGuigan and Kenneth Staton.

A tournament official said Chitengwa passed out and was taken to University of Alberta Hospital, where he died Saturday afternoon.

“Everybody on our tour, I know, is saddened, shocked, and still in a state of disbelief,” said a visibly shaken Ray Horne, the tournament director. “This was a great friend of the tour. He was a budding, future star.”