Graham DeLaet remains sidelined after stem-cell treatment

Former Presidents Cup star Graham DeLaet has received stem-cell treatment on his back and will remain sidelined while undergoing rehab, the Canadian announced Tuesday on his Twitter account. DeLaet said he recently underwent “conservative treatment that included an intradiscal stem cell injection to assist with my back mobility and long-term stability.â€� He added that the healing process is usually 7-10 days but that he continues to experience tenderness. DeLaet has been plagued by periodic back issues and was forced to withdraw from THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in Korea last October. It was his third WD of the 2017 calendar year. Prior to that, he had made two starts in the 2017-18 season – a tie for fourth at the Safeway Open and a T-54 at the CIMB Classic. DeLaet – who produced a 3-1-1 record at the 2013 Presidents Cup, tying Jason Day for the best performance on the International Team — also had to withdraw from THE NORTHERN TRUST, the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs. Two weeks earlier, he had finished T-7 at the PGA Championship, his best result in eight major appearances. He said dealing with the back issues helped his mental approach on a weekend in which he shot 68-69, his two-day finish matching that of eventual champion Justin Thomas. “When I was out there, I wasn’t really thinking about where I was at on the leaderboard,â€� DeLaet told The Canadian Press the day after the tournament. “From a mental standpoint, it was actually kind of beneficial. Physically, obviously, I would have liked to have been healthy, but I kept my mind in a pretty good spot.â€� DeLaet has been working since 2011 with Canadian conditioning coach Dr. Craig Davies, who is based out of Orlando, Florida. Davies told The Canadian Press that DeLaet received acupuncture, dry needling and soft-tissue work, and also underwent several other approaches, in order to play at Quail Hollow. “Truth of the matter is, all of what we did would have been for not if it wasn’t for the fact that Graham has this playoff-hockey mentality where he can play through a lot of pain that a lot of players wouldn’t be able to play through. And if they could play through it, they wouldn’t have played at the level he could. It’s a massive testament to Graham,â€� Davies told the Canadian Press. For now, DeLaet’s return is uncertain. “While frustrating,â€� DeLaet said, “I am currently doing everything possible to rehab and return to the course fully healthy.â€�

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