An Australian professional golfer has vowed to come back stronger after losing complete vision in his left eye in a freak accident. Jeffrey Guan, 20, had been touted as a potential star of the sport after becoming a two-time national junior amateur champion, following in the footsteps of major champions Adam Scott, Jason Day and Cameron Smith by claiming the title.
And in September, he realised a lifetime ambition by playing in his maiden PGA Tour event, the Procore Championship in California, missing the cut despite finishing level par after two rounds.
But just a week later he was back in New South Wales playing in a pro-am tournament at the Catalina Club when his career, and life, were turned upside down.
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While out on the course, Guan was struck in the eye by a shot from a fellow competitor. It was just after had played his second shot onto a green, and was duly putting his club back as his playing partners prepared for their approaches when he was caught unaware.
He’s since revealed the shot came from behind him, although has not detailed the direction the ball came from. “As I turned toward the cart to put my club away, that was when I was struck,” he said.
“The instant ringing and pain rushed to my head, and I dropped to the ground. Voices sounded pretty muffled, and the next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance with skin patches containing high doses of Fentanyl.
“I was in unbearable pain, and anxiety about my future was swirling in my mind. I couldn’t do much; sleeping was difficult, let alone walking or eating. Any activity that required energy meant I was in excruciating pain.”
The youngster was treated at Moruya District Hospital and then airlifted to Canberra to see specialists. He underwent eye surgery that same night, and then the following day was transferred to a hospital in Sydney where he had another procedure before spending two weeks in intensive care.
Once his eye had stabilised, Guan was told by doctors he had numerous fractures around his eye socket, and extensive injuries that could take up to a year to heal. A fundraising page set up in his name, which has already raised more than £7,500, confirmed he had “permanently lost vision in his left eye.”
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Guan has since admitted he struggled during his hospital stays, and wondered if he would ever be able to return to the sport. But he also vowed: “These four weeks have been the toughest of my life, but I am stronger mentally and will be ready to conquer any obstacle in the future.”
A measure of the Australian’s potential was that he has recently signed a deal with Sportfive. It’s the same sports agency used by the two-time major champion and now LIV Golf star Jon Rahm.
