Chandler Phillips: PGA Tour rookie ‘shaken’ after hitting spectator

Chandler Phillips carded a two-under 69 on Sunday to finish in a tie for third at the Valspar Championship – comfortably the best finish so far of his rookie season on the PGA Tour.

However, the 27-year-old was in far from high spirits afterwards.

Instead, his focus was on the spectator he accidentally injured with a wayward shot.

One-under for the day as he reached the par-3 eighth, Phillips missed the green to the right, his ball hitting a female spectator before ricocheting off her and hitting another spectator.

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He only became aware of the incident when he got to his ball and saw a group crowded around the bloodied woman.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said: “The lady that I hit didn’t look too good. So, after that, I wasn’t right. I tried to keep my concentration, but kind of lost it for a handful of holes. Just hoping that she’s okay.”

The Texan added: “I walked up and I saw a guy holding an ice pack on the back of his head. Then I got up there and then I see four or five people crowded around the lady, and I saw blood.

“I don’t know where it hit her. I just wanted to make sure that they had called, like, EMS or something out here, trainers, do whatever they can to help her out. But I didn’t even get to talk to her or anything like that. I really hope that she’s doing okay.

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“If she’s seeing this, I’m truly sorry.”

According to a Golf.com report, tournament organisers confirmed that the female spectator had been transported to a nearby hospital but had no further update on her condition as of Monday morning.

“I’m telling you, that eighth hole kind of screwed me up,” added Chandler. “It’s hard to explain. The last thing you want to do is hurt somebody out here.

“We’re just trying to have fun and play golf, and all they’re trying to do is watch some good golf, and when that happens, it sucks.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor