Italian professional golfer Andrea Pavan fell three stories after a lift shaft opened without a car in the shaft near Stellenbosch Golf Club. The 36‑year‑old suffered a complete shoulder fracture and several vertebral breaks, requiring major surgery and a week in a South African hospital.

The incident happened just before the South African Open when Pavan returned to his apartment to fetch a locker key. He described stepping into an empty lift, falling, and calling his caddie for help before emergency services arrived. Doctors warned of possible joint damage, necrosis and the need for a second operation.

Pavan remains optimistic, estimating bone healing in roughly three months and full joint function by six. He hopes to return to a full swing in under a year, though the injury’s severity leaves many unknowns. Support from fellow players, including Manuel Oliveira and Matteo Manassero, highlighted the tight‑knit golf community.

The incident underscores the physical risks players face off‑course and sets a benchmark for recovery timelines after severe orthopedic injuries.