Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been forced to withdraw from the South African Open following what is being described as a freak accident prior to the tournament.
The 36-year-old, who has claimed two victories on the DP World Tour, reportedly sustained serious injuries after falling down an elevator shaft and subsequently required surgical treatment.
A spokesperson declined to elaborate on the specifics of Pavan’s condition, citing medical confidentiality, according to The Sun.
The incident occurred ahead of the event at Stellenbosch, which commenced play on Thursday with Richie Ramsay stepping in to take Pavan’s place in the field.
According to reports, the accident took place at private accommodation away from the tournament venue.
Pavan is believed to have stepped into an elevator only to discover the car was not present, resulting in a fall of multiple floors.
The severity of the incident meant the Italian required surgery, though no further details have been disclosed regarding the extent of his injuries or his expected recovery timeline.
Andrea Pavan has been forced to withdraw from the South African Open following the freak accident
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The circumstances surrounding how the elevator malfunction occurred remain unclear, with organisers and officials yet to provide additional information about the incident that has sidelined the experienced professional.
Pavan’s professional career has seen him secure notable triumphs on European golf’s top circuit, with his maiden DP World Tour title coming at the 2018 Czech Masters before adding the BMW International Open to his collection the following year.
Five quirky facts about golf | GETTYBeyond the main tour, the Italian has accumulated five Challenge Tour victories throughout his career.
His earliest successes on that circuit came in 2011 when he captured both the Norwegian Challenge and the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final.
Further Challenge Tour wins followed in 2013, and most recently he claimed the Real Czech Challenge in 2023, defeating Casey Jarvis by a single stroke.
The tournament at Stellenbosch has proceeded as scheduled, with Scottish golfer Richie Ramsay filling the vacancy left by Pavan’s withdrawal.
Andrea Pavan pictured playing earlier this month
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The field features several prominent names, including former Masters champion Patrick Reed and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington.
Pavan, who relocated to the United States as a teenager and graduated from Texas University, has yet to make the cut at any major championship during his professional career.
His most recent appearance at a major came at last year’s US Open.
The Italian lost his European Tour card, now known as the DP World Tour, before regaining form on the Challenge Tour in 2020.