Rising golf star suffers career-threatening injury

An Australian golfer who has been tipped to make it to the very top of the game has suffered a career-threatening injury during a freak on-course accident.

Jeffrey Guan, who made his PGA Tour debut at the Procore Championship in California a little over a week ago, was reportedly struck in the eye by a ball during an NSW Open regional qualifier event on Friday.

According to Australian Golf Digest, a pro-am participant mishit a 3-wood which fractured Guan’s eye-socket in multiple places.

Reportedly ‘at serious risk’ of suffering permanent damage to his eyesight, he is set to be transferred to a facility in Sydney for further treatment.

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Paul Davis, Guan’s long-time coach, told the publication “It’s truly awful. This was actually the first pro-am Jeff has ever played in. It’s just the worst possible news after such an amazing week in California.”

Guan turned professional late last year following a decorated amateur career, which saw him win the 2022 AJGA Junior Players at TPC Sawgrass and represent Australia in the Junior Presidents Cup the same year.

In a statement, the PGA of Australia confirmed: “Jeff was hit just below his eye, and received treatment on course, before being transferred to Moruya Hospital for scans. He was then airlifted to Canberra to be assessed by an eye specialist.

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“The 20-year-old, who played his first US PGA Tour event last week and is a member of the Golf NSW High Performance & Golf Australia Rookie Squad.

“The PGA of Australia, Golf NSW and Golf Australia wish to thank everyone who assisted Jeff following the incident and wish him all the best with his recovery.

“We would ask people to respect the family’s privacy at this time, and we will endeavour to provide updates on his condition in due course.”

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