From Fox News Sports: Professional golfer Andrea Pavan withdrew from the DP World Tour’s Investec South African Open due to injuries he sustained in a freak elevator accident.
Pavan, 36, was hospitalized and “thankful to be alive” after he fell down an elevator shaft in the building he was staying in near Cape Town, South Africa, for the tournament, according to Monday Q Info.
“By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids,” Pavan’s former Texas A&M coach, J.T. Higgins, told the Golf Channel. Higgins hadn’t spoken to Pavan yet, but he was updated on his condition.
Golf Channel learned through sources within Pavan’s inner circle that the golfer had called for an elevator within the building where he was staying. However, when the doors to the elevator opened, a cab had not come up.
Without looking to see if the floor was there, Pavan stepped into the elevator, and fell down three floors, hurting his shoulder and back, among other injuries.
Surgeons tried to repair all the damage Wednesday night, and now he is just glad to be alive.
In a statement released by DP World Tour, Pavan said:
“I would like to say a big thank you for all the kind words and wishes I have received over the last 48 hours. I had surgery on my shoulder and my back on Wednesday evening and I am currently recovering in hospital.
“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.
“Grazie mille everyone, from me, my wife Audra, and my entire family.”
Statement on behalf of Andrea Pavan. pic.twitter.com/uYA0UusQeE
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 27, 2026
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