Italian golfer Andrea Pavan suffered serious injuries after falling down an elevator shaft in South Africa, leading to his withdrawal from the Investec South African Open Championship. The 36-year-old underwent surgery for shoulder and back injuries and is reported to be in good spirits. A GoFundMe has been set up to support his recovery and family.
Andrea Pavan, a 36-year-old Italian professional golfer with two DP World Tour victories, was hospitalized on Wednesday after a freak accident in his private accommodation near Cape Town, South Africa. According to multiple reports, Pavan called for the elevator, but when the doors opened, the car was absent, causing him to fall three stories down the shaft. He sustained significant injuries to his shoulder and back, including severe shoulder damage and fractures to several vertebrae.
Pavan underwent at least one major surgery on Wednesday night, with Italian media reporting a six-hour operation to address vertebral fractures and implant a plate in his shoulder. His condition is described as serious but not life-threatening. Doctors expect him to remain in South Africa for several weeks before being evaluated for travel back to the United States. Pavan's wife, Audra, is en route to join him, along with his sister from abroad. Several fellow players and friends have visited him in the hospital, where he is said to be in good spirits.
Pavan's former college coach at Texas A&M, J.T. Higgins, told Golf Channel: “By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids.” A GoFundMe page created by his former teammate Matt Van Zandt details the incident and seeks funds for medical expenses, extended stay, and recovery, noting the financial strain on Pavan, Audra, and their three children.
The DP World Tour confirmed Pavan's withdrawal from this week's Investec South African Open Championship at Stellenbosch Golf Club but provided no further details. Richie Ramsay replaced him in the field. Pavan, part of Texas A&M's 2009 NCAA championship team, has eight professional wins worldwide. His most recent DP World Tour victory was the 2019 BMW International Open. Currently ranked No. 249 in the Official World Golf Ranking, he qualified for last year's U.S. Open at Oakmont but missed the cut. This season, he recorded a T-9 in Bahrain.
