Rising Australian golf star loses sight after accident

SYDNEY, Australia — Australia’s rising golf star, who made her PGA Tour debut in the US last month, has vowed to continue playing despite losing sight in one eye after a horrific on-course accident.

Jeffrey Guan, 20, was hit in the face by a ball at a tournament south of Sydney in late September, suffering a serious fracture to his left cheekbone and eye socket.

The PGA of Australia said he had “permanently lost sight in his left eye”.

In his first statement since the accident, Guan – a former Australian junior amateur champion such as Adam Scott, Jason Day and Cameron Smith – said he was “absolutely distraught”.

“At night in the hospital I was almost drowning in thoughts about the injury and my future in the sport,” he said.

“Not only was I completely upset by the news, but the whole situation left me feeling very depressed and somewhat angry.

“Those four weeks were the hardest of my life,” he added. “But I am mentally stronger and will be ready to overcome any obstacles in the future.

“I’ll come back.”

Before the accident, Guan was signed to the same management company that boasts major winners Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson.

He received an invitation from a sponsor to the PGA Tour Procore Championship in California, where he shot 69 and 75 and narrowly missed out on making the cut.