Additional Coverage:
- Reports: Italian golfer Andrea Pavan injured from fall down elevator shaft when car was not there (nbcsports.com)
Stellenbosch, South Africa – Italian golfer Andrea Pavan sustained serious injuries after falling down an elevator shaft, according to multiple reports. The incident occurred when the elevator doors opened, but the car was not present, leading to Pavan’s fall.
Sources on a text thread with Pavan’s friends on the European tour and former Texas A&M teammates, cited by Golf Channel, indicate that he suffered injuries to his back and shoulder. Pavan reportedly underwent surgery Wednesday night in South Africa.
Pavan had been scheduled to compete in the South African Open, which commenced on Thursday.
J.T. Higgins, Pavan’s former coach at Texas A&M, conveyed that Pavan is “in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids.” Higgins, who has not directly spoken with Pavan, confirmed he has been kept abreast of his condition.
Golf Channel further reported that Pavan was staying near Cape Town when he called for the elevator. He subsequently fell three stories and was transported to the hospital for surgery. Citing medical confidentiality, the European Tour confirmed only that Pavan had withdrawn from the South African Open due to injury.
The 36-year-old Pavan is a two-time winner on the European Tour, with his most recent victory being a playoff win against Matt Fitzpatrick at the 2019 BMW International Open.