Australian golfer determined to keep playing despite losing sight in one eye
Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan, 20, has pledged to pursue his dream of competing on golf’s biggest tours despite suffering permanent vision loss in his left eye. The incident occurred last month during a Pro-Am tournament when he was struck in the face by a golf ball, resulting in fractures to his cheekbone and eye socket.
Guan underwent two surgeries following the September accident and is now facing a minimum six-month recovery period. This setback came just a week after he made his debut at the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship.
In a statement released on Thursday, the PGA of Australia confirmed Guan’s permanent loss of sight in his left eye. In response to his situation, the PGA and the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) have launched an online fundraiser with a goal of $500,000 to support Guan during his recovery.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Guan expressed the emotional and financial toll it has taken on him and his family. “As you can imagine, this whole situation not only came at a tremendous cost but has also significantly affected me and my family emotionally and mentally,” he stated. “The thought of all my years of hard work and training, plus my family’s sacrifice, had just been thrown out the window.”
Despite these challenges, Guan remains determined. “I will continue to work hard and do my best to achieve my dream. These four weeks have been the toughest of my life, but I am stronger mentally and will be ready to conquer any obstacle in the future… I will be back.”
Guan’s resilience and commitment to his goals have garnered support from fans and fellow athletes alike as he embarks on this challenging journey to recovery and a hopeful return to the sport he loves.
