Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been left seriously injured after falling down a lift shaft during a ‘freak’ incident just days ahead of the South African Open.
The two-time DP World Tour winner, 36, is understood to have fallen two or three floors down the shaft after doors opened without the lift car itself appearing.
The accident occurred at Pavan’s private accommodation rather than the players’ hotel in Stellenbosch, it has been reported.
According to multiple sources on site, the golfer sustained multiple serious injuries, particularly to his back and shoulder, although they are not believed to be life-threatening.
A spokesperson from DP World Tour has confirmed that Pavan has been forced to withdraw from the tournament as a result of the injury, but no additional information regarding his condition has been published due to medical confidentiality.
News of the incident was first reported on social media platform X by Monday Q Info, who described it as a ‘freak accident’.
Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been left seriously injured after falling down a lift shaft
The post claimed that Pavan underwent surgery ‘for hours’ after being ‘badly injured’.
Scotland’s Richie Ramsay has replaced the Italian ahead of the South African Open, with the winner receiving an invitation to The Masters in April.
Pavan, who currently has two top-15 finishes so far this year, is placed 249th in the Official World Golf Ranking.