Golfer struck by lightning and set alight while on the course

An American golfer who was struck down by lightning while playing golf is to require skin graft surgery after a fifth of his body was burnt by the bolt.

Justin Hofer, 38, a father of five, was lucky to survive the freak accident that happened at Sunbrook Golf Course in St George, Utah. 

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He said: ‘All I really remember was teeing off on the first hole of the point, and then I really don’t remember anything until I woke up at the hospital here. It’s weird. It’s like my memory just got erased. (Sunday) is the first day I really remember.

“We all went up there to putt out balls in and apparently that’s when it happened. I got hit by the lightning and then my really good buddy just looked at me and I just kinda fell over, hit the ground and was on fire."

According to research, around 300 people are hit by a lightning bolt every year, with one in 10 strikes proving fatal .

Despite the incident, Mr Hofer remains hopeful, saying: ‘(It’s) unbelievable bad luck. ‘But maybe it will all turn out for the best.’