PGA Tour star makes brave promise after losing sight in eye in freak accident

Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan has made a brave promise after losing his sight in his left eye in a freak accident at a pro-am tournament last month

Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan has vowed to return to the sport despite losing his sight in his left eye following a freak accident.

The 20-year-old was struck by a ball during a pro-am tournament only a week after he made his PGA Tour. Guan was rushed into surgery in New South Wales and spent two weeks in intensive care after being transferred to Sydney for a second operation.

Guan, a former Australian junior amateur champion, suffered a serious fracture to his left cheekbone and eye socket when he was hit during a NSW Open regional qualifying pro-am last month.

He detailed the moment he was struck as he turned toward his cart to put his club away after playing his second shot on the third hole. "The instant ringing and pain rushed to my head, and I dropped to the ground," he recalled. "I had my first surgery that night; I was in unbearable pain, and anxiety about my future was swirling in my mind.

"A day later, I was transferred to the Sydney Eye Hospital to undergo another surgery, more tests and further treatment. The best eye specialists and nurses were arranged for my immediate appointment.

"After the second surgery, I spent the next two weeks in intensive care. This stay was critical to make sure my eyeball was stable. My eye pressure was way too high to be in any state of ordinary, and I had lost vision completely in my left eye. I couldn't do much; sleeping was difficult, let alone walking or eating. Any activity that required energy meant I was in excruciating pain."

Guan was told by doctors not to even think about returning to play golf for at least six months. "During my nights in hospital, I almost drowned in thoughts about the injury and my future in the sport," he continued.

"Not only was I utterly distraught by the news I had received, but the whole situation made me very depressed and somewhat angry. 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. The thought of all my years of hard work and training, plus my family's sacrifice, had just been thrown out the window.”

But Guan has vowed to continue playing following his recovery. "As a kid, I have always had a lot of perseverance and persistence," he said. 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."