Missing father of pro golfer Billy Hurley found
GAINESVILLE, Va. -- Police have located the father of PGA Tour player Billy Hurley III after he went missing for nearly two weeks.
Police in Leesburg, Virginia say 61-year-old Willard Hurley Jr. was located Friday in Texas. The elder Hurley was unharmed and told police he had simply been traveling. Police say he didn't explain why he left his home without informing his family.
His son pro-golfer Billy Hurley broke down in tears Tuesday while announcing to the media that his father, a retired Virginia police officer, was missing. Hurley is playing in this week's Quicken Loans National event in Virginia.
"So last Sunday, nine days ago, my dad took some clothes, he took some cash, he got in his truck and drove away and no one has heard from him since," Hurley had said.
The professional golfer stated adamantly his dad has no history of mental illness, so to guess why he left would be, as Hurley said, "complete speculation."
"He's been married to my mom for 30-plus years. You know, they still live in the house that I grew up in," he said.
Hurley grew up in Leesburg, where his parents still live. His father left home on July 19 and was reported missing on July 27. The 61-year-old was last seen driving a dark green 1998 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Police were able to last track Hurley to Texarkana, Texas, where he purchased a hotel room for one night on July 23.
Despite the family crisis, the 33-year-old was hoping his refusal to withdraw from the tournament would help deliver his desperate message -- a message from a loving son to his father.
"Maybe he goes to PGAtour.com to check my tee time or check my score and sees this and understands that 'Dad, we love you and we want you to come home,'" Hurley said.
Police say a civilian recognized the elder Hurley after his photo was released to the public.