11/04/2025
"From GBS to Glory...
The Champion within"
The boy who wouldn’t quit
CLARK, Pampanga — Just seven months ago, Lucas de Guzman couldn’t walk. On Friday, the eight-year-old golf prodigy played against some of the country’s most promising junior golfers at the JGFP International Interclub at Mimosa Plus Golf and Country Club — a comeback for the ages.
Lucas, who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in September, stunned spectators and fellow players alike by carding a gritty five-over-par performance in his first competitive round since his medical ordeal. It wasn’t just a return — it was a reminder that champions don’t just rise, they persevere.
“I was supposed to be learning to walk again this March,” Lucas said softly, his eyes fixed on the green. “But I wanted to do more. I wanted to play.”
A champion’s spirit
Lucas had been sidelined after GBS — a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves — temporarily paralyzed him from the neck down.
Doctors told his family recovery could take anywhere from six months to a year. He began treatment with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), and within five days, he was able to stand for 30 seconds.
By December, Lucas was walking with the aid of physical therapists and, incredibly, swinging a club again.
Friday’s grit, Saturday’s possibility
Doctors had cleared Lucas for only 18 holes this week — one round. But in true Lucas fashion, he’s not ruling out returning for Saturday’s round to help his team, LDG, which trails Brittannika by just one point in the 12-and-under division.
His first round wasn’t without challenges. He started strong with six pars, knocked in back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17, but bogeyed the 9th and later stumbled to a double bogey on the 2nd. He eventually finished with 49 Stableford points — an effort that was less about the numbers and more about the statement.
“Just completing the round was already a win,” Lucas’ mother Lue said. “It’s not just about the scorecard anymore.”
More than a game
Lucas's return also represents hope for children and families facing similar medical battles. GBS typically affects older individuals, making Lucas’s case all the more extraordinary. His road to recovery involved a team of dedicated professionals: neurologists, rehab doctors, nutritionists, physical therapists, and even a Japanese acupuncturist.
Since his diagnosis, Lucas has also embraced a healthier lifestyle, losing considerable pounds under the guidance of a nutritionist. “No more junk food,” Lue said with a smile. “He’s more disciplined than most adults now.”
Eyes on the horizon
Lucas is still rebuilding his full strength, but with his iron will, few doubt he’ll return to his pre-illness form — and perhaps even surpass it. He’s already back working on his short game with coach Artemio Murakami and dreams of once again leading his Homeschool Global squad, the defending champions, in future competitions.
For now, though, it’s about celebrating small wins — like walking the course, hitting a solid approach shot, and inspiring a gallery of young golfers watching from behind the ropes.
“If there’s one thing Lucas taught us,” said Lue, “it’s that nothing is impossible when your heart’s in the game.”
Whether or not he tees it up again this weekend, Lucas de Guzman has already given the JGFP International Interclub its most unforgettable moment — not with a trophy, but with a testimony of courage.
