Gene Sauers Went From Death’s Door To Senior Open Champ

You probably didn’t notice that Gene Sauers missed the cut at the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills a couple of weeks ago.

He shot nine-over par, 77-76 but he did beat a very big name star — Jason Day.

Not a bad effort for a guy who’s lucky to be alive.

Gene Sauers leads the field at this week’s U.S. Senior Open up in Peabody, Mass., at the Salem Country Club.  He won last year at Scioto, shot three-under par.  It was the crowning moment of his golf career.

Sauers played through the late 80s and 90s — had a long PGA Tour career, won three times and was universally known as a nice guy.

About seven years ago he started experiencing pain in his body.  At first he was mis-diagnosed as having Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Then his body started burning from the inside out.

Turns out he contracted an incredibly rare disease known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

His skin was literally burning up.  At one point he was given a 25 percent chance of making it.

He did.  Made it back after a long treatment and rehabilitation period.

Now he’s playing and playing well.  “I don’t take anything from granted anymore.  Thank God for giving me a second chance at life,” Sauers proclaimed.

So it was a very popular win when he edged Miguel Angel Jimenez for the Senior Open title last year.

He’s back, doing well and just a happy guy.

He’s the type of guy golf needs and the type of guy you can’t help but pull for.