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Italian pro golfer underwent surgery after suffering severe shoulder injury and several fractured vertebrae in three-storey fall.
Published Feb 27, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
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Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off during the Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club earlier this month. Getty ImagesArticle content
After suffering severe injuries in a freak accident, pro golfer Andrea Pavan is on a long road to recovery.
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The DP World Tour golfer was set to compete in the Investec South African Open Championship when the “freak accident” occurred.
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On Thursday, Pavan fell three storeys down an open elevator shaft, when the doors opened and the car was not present.
Monday Q Info, a reputable golf account, initially reported the incident on Thursday, citing “multiple people.”
A DP World Tour spokesperson confirmed to Bunkered that Pavan “withdrew due to injury” from the Investec South African Open, but the Tour couldn’t provide further details at the time “due to medical confidentiality.”
What did Pavan say about the incident?
“I would like to say a big thank you for all the kind words and wishes I have received over the last 48 hours,” Pavan said in a statement released on his behalf by the DP World Tour. “I had surgery on my shoulder and my back on Wednesday evening and I am currently recovering in hospital.
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“I now have a lot of rehab and hard work ahead of me, but the care I have received so far from the Mediclinic hospital staff has been incredible, as has the support from the DP World Tour, the Sunshine Tour and all their staff here in Stellenbosch.
“I am also very grateful for all the help Johann Rupert and his wife Gaynor have given me.
“The last two days have been difficult, but I am in very good hands and to have so many players, caddies and staff visit and contact me has meant a lot to me.”
He ended the statement by extending thanks from himself and his entire family.
What injuries did Pavan suffer in the fall?
According to a GoFundMe page started to help Pavan and his family with medical bills, the golfer suffered a severe shoulder injury and several fractured vertebrae in the incident.
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“Andrea fell three stories down an open elevator shaft in his lodging when the elevator doors opened with no car present,” the page states. “He was rushed to a local hospital with significant injuries to his shoulder and back, including severe shoulder damage and fractures to several vertebrae.
“He has already undergone at least one major surgery and will need ongoing medical care and additional procedures.”
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Pavan is expected to remain in South Africa for weeks before he can be evaluated for travel back to his home in the U.S.
As of Friday at noon ET, the GoFundMe had raised more than $45,000 US of its stated $100Gs goal.
Pavan, who was born in Rome, is ranked No. 249 in world heading into this weekend’s action. He has competed at three tournaments so far this season, including the Qatar Masters earlier this month, where he missed the cut.
While he has two wins on the DP World Tour, he hasn’t topped a tournament leaderboard since the 2019 BMW International Open. His other win came at the 2018 D+D Real Czech Masters.
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