UPDATE: Matt Van Zandt, a former college teammate of Pavan’s, created a GoFundMe page to raise money for Pavan, his recovery and his family. On the page, Van Zandt wrote, “Andrea fell three stories down an open elevator shaft in his lodging when the elevator doors opened with no car present. He 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 already undergone at least one major surgery and will need ongoing medical care and additional procedures. Doctors expect him to remain in South Africa for many weeks before he can be safely evaluated for travel back to the U.S. Andrea’s wife, Audra, is en route to be with him, and his sister is traveling from abroad as well. Several fellow players and friends have already visited Andrea in the hospital and say that he is in good spirits.”
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Andrea Pavan was injured in an off-course accident while in South Africa for this week’s DP World Tour event, according to multiple reports.
The DP World Tour confirmed to Bunkered that Pavan withdrew due to injury but did not provide more details.
According to Ryan French of Monday Q Info, who cited multiple sources, Pavan “fell down an elevator shaft after the doors opened on the floor he was on but the car itself wasn’t there.” French said he fell multiple floors but sources told him the injuries don’t appear to be life-threatening and that he’s already undergone surgery. Jacek Pearson, a Czech sports commentator, tweeted that Pavan’s condition is stable.
Martin Dempster of The Scotsman reported the accident happened at Pavan’s private accommodation and not at an official accommodation for the tournament.
This week’s DP World Tour stop is the Investec South African Open Championship in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Richie Ramsay took Pavan’s spot in the field.
Pavan, 36, has won twice on the DP World Tour. The Italian pro played in the U.S. Open at Oakmont last year, missing the cut. He was also a part of Texas A&M’s NCAA championship team in 2009.
