'Unbelievable Incidents'... Bizarre Accidents in Golf

Pavan, Two-Time European Winner, Falls While Trying to Take Elevator
Undergoes Shoulder and Back Surgery: "Will Return in Good Form"
Scheffler Injures Palm with Glass Shard While Cooking
McIlroy Hurt Playing Soccer, Mickelson Skiing, Johnso

It is truly unbelievable. This is the story of Andrea Pavan of Italy, who has recorded two wins on the DP World Tour. Pavan was scheduled to participate in the DP World Tour South African Open Championship, but on February 25, the day before the tournament began, he was involved in an elevator accident in Cape Town, South Africa. After pressing the elevator call button and seeing the doors open, Pavan stepped forward, only to find that the elevator had not yet arrived at the floor.

Without realizing this, Pavan extended his leg and fell from the height of the third floor, approximately 10 meters. He sustained injuries to his shoulder and back, requiring major surgery. He was at risk of having to end his career as a player. Fortunately, the surgery was successful. Pavan, who said, "I underwent surgery on my shoulder and back and am currently recovering in the hospital," added, "I received a lot of support from many people, which gave me great strength. I will need a lot of rehabilitation and effort moving forward, but I will return in good form."

Andrea Pavan, who recorded two wins in Europe, recently underwent surgery due to an elevator accident. Photo by AP Yonhap News

In the world of golf, injuries often happen in the most unexpected situations. A case in point is Scottie Scheffler of the United States, who is currently ranked number one in the world. At the end of 2024, while preparing Christmas dinner, Scheffler flipped a wine glass upside down to make dough for ravioli. The bottom of the wine glass broke, and glass shards cut his palm. Small fragments of glass remained in his palm, and he underwent surgery. He was unable to grip a golf club for up to a month and focused on his recovery. As a result, he missed four consecutive tournaments, from the opening event of last year, The Sentry, to the Farmers Insurance Open.

After surgery, Scheffler could not hold his golf clubs, but he maintained his playing form through mental conditioning and lower body training. He made his first appearance after the injury at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in January last year. Although he started the season later than his competitors, he competed in 20 tournaments and achieved an impressive six victories. Notably, he won two major championships: the PGA Championship and The Open. He smiled as he commented, "Choosing not to rush and taking my time to return was the wise decision."

Scotty Scheffler injured his palm while preparing Christmas dinner for 2024. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Dustin Johnson of the United States, a former world number one now playing on the LIV Golf tour, has also been sidelined by injury. He withdrew from the 2017 Masters on the opening day after injuring his back in a fall on the stairs at his accommodation the day before the tournament. Once considered the strongest contender for victory, he became the victim of a bizarre injury. In 2012, he also injured his back while riding a jet ski near his home in Florida, and he withdrew from the Masters that year as well.

Many golfers have been injured while enjoying other sports. Phil Mickelson of the United States, the oldest major champion, broke his left leg while skiing in 1994. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, a career Grand Slam winner, broke his left ankle and had to wear a cast while playing soccer in 2015, forcing him to withdraw from The Open. Coincidentally, he did not win another major after that, until he completed the final piece of his career Grand Slam at the Masters in April last year.

Rory McIlroy broke his ankle and had to wear a cast while playing soccer in 2015. Screenshot from Rory McIlroy's Instagram

Padraig Harrington of Ireland was injured while volunteering. Harrington is a formidable player with 15 wins on the DP World Tour and six on the PGA Tour. In 2017, during a clinic event for amateurs, he was struck on the elbow by a club swung by a participant and required six stitches for treatment.

Ji Hee Lee, who has recorded 23 wins on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour, had a bizarre experience after winning the Kyuraku Cup Korea-Japan Ladies Professional Golf Competition in 2009. During the celebratory tossing by her fellow players, they lost their grip, and she fell to the ground, injuring her back.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.