Fall into elevator shaft: Italian DP World Tour pro 'glad to be alive'

Two-time DP World Tour winner Andrea Pavan actually wanted to be on Tee 1 at the Investec South African Open in Stellenbosch this week. But a bizarre accident in his private accommodation turned his tournament preparation into a fight for survival. The 36-year-old Italian fell several stories into an empty elevator shaft and suffered serious injuries.

The golfing world is holding its breath: As has only now become known, a tragic incident occurred last Wednesday that sent professional golfer Andrea Pavan to hospital. According to reports, Pavan called for an elevator at his accommodation near Cape Town. When the doors opened, he stepped into the shaft - without realizing that the cabin was not ready on the floor due to a technical defect.

Here you can find the leaderboard of the South African Open of the DP World Tour.

Fall from the third floor

Pavan fell about three stories. The consequences of the impact were devastating: The American by choice, who played for Texas A&M in college, suffered serious injuries to his shoulder as well as fractures to several vertebrae. In a six-hour emergency operation at a local hospital, surgeons stabilized his spine and inserted a plate in his shoulder.

Although the injuries are classified as "serious", doctors have given the all-clear: his condition is stable and not life-threatening.

"Grateful to be alive"

Despite the shock, the 2019 BMW International Open winner is fighting back. His former college coach J.T. Higgins told the Golf Channel that Pavan is already communicating with his children again via video call. He is in "good shape" and, above all, infinitely grateful to have survived the fall.

The DP World Tour only officially confirmed the Italian's withdrawal from the tournament for medical reasons. Behind the scenes, however, there is great sympathy: former teammates and companions have already launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Pavan and his family with the upcoming treatment costs.

A long road back

For Pavan, who is currently ranked 249th in the world, this accident means an uncertain sporting future. As things stand, he will have to remain in South Africa for several weeks until he is fit enough to return to his adopted home of Texas.

While the tournament in Stellenbosch is underway and Richie Ramsay has taken the Italian's place in the field, the golf community's undivided attention is focused on the recovery of one of its most high-profile players.