Andrea Pavan was ready to tee off at the South African Open. Instead, the Italian golfer is now recovering in hospital after a shocking accident. The 36-year-old has withdrawn from the DP World Tour event in Stellenbosch after falling down an elevator shaft on Wednesday, just one day before the tournament began. Reports say Pavan stepped into what he thought was a lift, but the elevator car was not there. He is believed to have fallen the equivalent of two stories.
Pavan suffered serious injuries and was kept in hospital overnight. However, those injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The incident reportedly happened in a private apartment block where several players are staying, not in official DP World Tour accommodation. A DP World Tour spokesperson said they could not share more details about his condition because of medical confidentiality.
Play still began on Thursday in Stellenbosch. Richie Ramsay replaced Pavan in the field. Big names like Patrick Reed and Padraig Harrington are also competing this week in South Africa.
Andrea Pavan’s South African Open withdrawal shocks DP World Tour field in Stellenbosch
The timing of the accident has left many stunned. Pavan had travelled to South Africa hoping to build momentum this season. Instead, he now faces recovery time away from the game.
Pavan is a two-time DP World Tour winner. He won the Czech Masters in 2018 and followed it up with victory at the BMW International Open in 2019. Those wins marked the best period of his career on the main tour.
Before that, he built his name on the Challenge Tour. He has won five Challenge Tour titles. In 2011, he lifted the Norwegian Challenge and the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final. In 2013, he added the Bad Griesbach Challenge Tour and the Open Blue Green Cotes d’Amor Bretagne. In 2020, he claimed the Real Czech Challenge, edging Casey Jarvis by one shot.
Pavan moved to the United States as a teenager and later graduated from Texas University. While he has enjoyed success in regular tour events, he has never made the cut at a major championship. His last appearance at a major came at the US Open last year.
For now, golf takes a back seat. The focus is on his health and recovery. Players and fans will be hoping to see him back on the course soon.
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