- Jeff Guan released from hospital after freak accident
- He had just made his debut on the star-studded PGA Tour.
One of the country’s most promising young athletes has been released from hospital after suffering life-changing injuries in a freak accident, but a shocking update has cast doubt on his chances of making a full recovery.
Jeff Guan, who made his star-studded PGA Tour debut in September, had to be airlifted to hospital after being hit in the face by an errant golf ball on a course on the New South Wales south coast last week.
The 20-year-old suffered serious injuries when the ball, fired by one of his Pro-Am teammates, hit him just below the eye while playing at the Catalina Club in Batemans Bay during a regional qualifying event for the New Wales Open. South.
Paramedics treated Guan at the scene and then took him to Moruya District Hospital, where scans were carried out, before being flown to Canberra and undergoing eye surgery.
Golf Australia, Golf NSW and the PGA of Australia issued a statement on the youngster’s condition on Wednesday, indicating Guan has a long journey ahead of him.
“We remain aware of the community’s continued concern for Jeffrey Guan following his recent accident in the field,” the statement read.
‘Jeffrey has now been discharged from Sydney Eye Hospital. While he is no longer under constant medical supervision, there is still no clear timeline for his recovery and the long-term prognosis remains uncertain at this time.
‘Jeff’s recovery is just beginning and is expected to be a long and challenging journey.
Guan was hit in the face by a ball during a freak accident at the Catalina Club in Batemans Bay on the New South Wales south coast.
Guan has been released from hospital but his future in the sport remains uncertain
‘All three organisations, Golf Australia, Golf NSW and the PGA of Australia, continue to maintain close daily contact with Jeffrey’s family, offering them support as they overcome the challenges ahead.
‘We are dedicated to ensuring that Jeffrey receives the best medical care possible and that his family receives all the help possible during this difficult time.
“Once again, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone for their continued messages of kindness and support and will continue to provide updates on Jeffrey’s progress as appropriate.”
Guan has been a fixture in the sport since his PGA Tour debut at the Procore Championship in California.
He was invited via a sponsor invitation and had previously been in the top 25 at both the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open last year.
The young golfer is ranked 989 in the world and is already considered by many to be one of the most promising players in the country.
The 20-year-old (pictured with a friend) suffered career-threatening injuries when the stray ball, hit by one of his Pro-Am teammates, hit him below the eye.
Guan turned professional in 2023 and was previously the only Australian to represent the international team at the 2022 Junior Presidents Cup.
While there, he won the amateur version of The Players Championship at the famous TPC Sawgrass track.
At the time he had told the Sydney Morning Herald that representing his country was a “privilege”.
‘Representing your country is a privilege and playing in a high-level event gives you more experience to go towards the goal you want to achieve, which is to play professionally,’ he said.
“That’s a great springboard where I can learn from players around the world, as well as the professionals we get to see.”