Italian Pavan seriously hurt after lift shaft fall

Italian golfer Andrea Pavan says he has "a lot of rehab and hard work" ahead of him after he fell multiple floors down an open lift shaft before the start of the South African Open.

The accident occurred on Wednesday at Pavan's private accommodation near Stellenbosch Golf Club; the lift doors opened but there was no lift car in the shaft, causing him to tumble three stories down.

Pavan, 36, was rushed to a local hospital with significant injuries to his shoulder and back, including severe shoulder damage and fractures to several vertebrae. He has since undergone major surgery.

In a statement via the DP World Tour,, external Pavan thanked fans for their kind words and said the care and support he has received while in hospital "has been incredible".

He added: "The past 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."

The European-based tour had initially said Pavan had withdrawn from the tournament, which began on Thursday, through injury, but they did not provide further details because of "medical confidentiality".

A former team-mate of Pavan's, Matt van Zandt, has set up a fundraiser to help Pavan's wife Audra and their three children with medical bills.

Van Zandt said doctors expect Pavan to remain in South Africa for "many weeks before he can be safely evaluated for travel back to the United States".

England's Marco Penge, who plays on the European Tour with Pavan, wrote on X:, external "Terrible news. Sending Andrea and his family all my love. He's a great guy!"

Pavan is a two-time DP World Tour winner, claiming victory at the Czech Masters in 2018 and the BMW International Open in 2019.