Six years ago, Todd Demsey was undergoing brain surgery to begin the removal of a tumour.
Yesterday, he shot a 65 to share the lead in the New Zealand Open.
Demsey (36) was diagnosed with the tumour in 2002 and had his first surgery in January 2003, just 24 days after his wedding.
A second operation at the end of that year removed the final 20% of the tumour.
The American golfer looked tired when he finished his round yesterday but said he felt much better than he did when he flew to New Zealand 11 days ago.
He didn't make the cut in the New Zealand PGA at Clearwater, which he put down to jet lag.
"It's a long way to come down. It's not an easy trip for us," Demsey said.
"It's a long flight. My kids were great - they slept the whole time - but I can't sleep on a plane. That's probably why I've never really played well here."
Demsey has been accompanied by his wife, Melinda, and children, Maggie (2) and Tucker (11 months).
He said his family wanted to do some sightseeing in the Lakes District, so he only practised for two hours at The Hills leading up to the Open.
"I've been trying to spend as much time with them as I can. I want to make sure I don't just leave them in the hotel room all day."
It was cold and windy when Demsey got his first look at the course on Monday.
He didn't expect to shoot seven-under-par yesterday.
"I thought even par would be a good score for the week, but conditions were good today and I was surprised how I could score.
"It played real steady, I made a couple of putts and I'm pretty happy with that."
New Jersey-born Dempsey is based in Scottsdale, Arizona - many professional golfers are - and plays out of the Whisper Rock club.
This is his 201st career start in a Nationwide event.
He spent all of last year on the PGA Tour, playing 25 events and making the cut 14 times.
Demsey was the American division one college champion in 1993 and was a team-mate of Phil Mickelson at Arizona State University.
Demsey seemed a little blase about coming to New Zealand for two Nationwide Tour events but enthused about this week's venue.
"I heard great things about Queenstown and everything's true. It's a great place. I love it here."
He will like it even more if he continues playing like he did yesterday.
Demsey doesn't have any significant golf pedigree, but sport is in his blood, with his grandfather having played baseball for the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1940 to 1941.
