Golfer 'thankful to be alive' after falling down lift shaft

He was forced to withdraw from an Open Championship after the incident.

27 Feb 2026 03:25pm
Italian golfer Andrea Pavan is "thankful to be alive” after falling three floors down a lift shaft. Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
Italian golfer Andrea Pavan is "thankful to be alive” after falling three floors down a lift shaft. Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva

ROME - Italian golfer Andrea Pavan is "thankful to be alive” after falling three floors down a lift shaft, PA Media/dpa reported.

The 36-year-old, a two-time DP World Tour winner, was scheduled to be playing in this week’s Investec South African Open Championship at Stellenbosch Golf Club but was forced to withdraw after the incident on Wednesday.

Reports said the accident, which happened in his private accommodation, occurred when the lift doors opened but there was no lift car in the shaft and Pavan fell, sustaining multiple injuries.

Italian media say he underwent a six-hour operation on several vertebral fractures and to implant a plate in his shoulder. He is in a serious but not life-threatening condition.

"By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids,” Pavan’s former college coach JT Higgins told Golf Channel. - BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa

 

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