The PGA Tour announced Monday that Camilo Villegas’ daughter Mia passed away over the weekend. She was 22 months old.
“She went through surgery and obviously needed treatment. She just started her second round of chemotherapy,” Villegas said. “It’s been really tough to see her—because you know how it is, she’s in pain. But she keeps fighting, she’s inspiring us and again that’s why I’m here.”
Villegas said the family noticed something was wrong with Mia in late February at the Honda Classic. After initially believing Mia’s crying was due to teething, a visit to the pediatrician and subsequent scan revealed tumors on Mia’s brain and spine. Villegas said the prognosis was unclear.
“We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen. She started her second round of chemo; the doctor doesn’t want to do a very detailed scan until after a third round. It’s some anxious times,” Villegas said.
Villegas, a four-time PGA Tour winner, has not played since his appearance at TPC Sawgrass.
“The PGA Tour is deeply saddened having lost a member of our family, Mia Villegas,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “We grieve with Camilo and Maria, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Villegas family.”