In September, Australia’s 20-year-old rising star Jeffrey Guan was struck by an errant golf ball, and is unlikely to regain vision in his left eye.
On the rise in his professional career, the accident took place just a week after Guan’s PGA TOUR debut in the Procure Championship in California. After hitting a 69 and 75, he only just missed the cut by one shot. But he was back in playing form a week later at the New South Wales Pro-Am. Here, the unthinkable happened.
A golf ball hit him as he went to replace his club.
“The instant ringing and pain rushed to my head, and I dropped to the ground,” Guan said in a statement to Australian Golf Digest. “I remember seeing blood coming out of my eye and the next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance being transported to a local hospital.”
Guan suffered fractures to his eye socket and left cheekbone, and has since undergone two surgeries. The first was in Canberra, where he was airlifted to and afterwards spent two weeks in intensive care. The second surgery was in Sydney soon after. Doctors have told the young player he has at least six months to wait out and recover before he can think of playing again. Guan is certainly determined to do so. Despite his loss of vision, he aims to return to his professional playing level as soon as possible.
The two-time Australian junior amateur champion had a decorated amateur career prior to turning professional late last year. He had plans in place to start competing in the DP World Tour in the coming seasons. Those who have kept their eyes on Guan and his up-and-coming playing career can attest to these plans initially being a step in the right direction for the rising star.
“Jeff’s results speak for themselves in terms of his potential and ability,” Golf Australia’s high performance director, Tony Meyer said. “He had an incredible junior and amateur career.
“Making that jump from elite amateur to elite professional is a tricky jump but Jeff was making those steps.”
With the guidance of his coach, Paul Davis, Guan signed a deal with Sportfive this year. The very same sports agency currently representing the likes of former world number one Jon Rahm and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley. Sportfive had sponsored his debut on the PGA TOUR. Despite missing the cut then, things were looking up for the Australian.
“It’s truly awful – this was actually the first pro-am Jeff has ever played in,” Coach Davis said, Guan’s long-time mentor. “It’s just the worst possible news after such an amazing week in California.”
In financial support of Guan, the Australian Sports Foundation has organised an online campaign to fundraise $500,000. The young professional is confident in his eventual return to the course. That is, once his slow-going but necessary recovery stage is through.
“As a kid, I have always had a lot of perseverance and persistence. I will continue to work hard and do my best to achieve my dream,” said Guan.
“These four weeks have been the toughest of my life, but I still have that motivation to get back out there and try to play on the biggest tours and play my best golf.
“I will be back.”