Tour pro makes sensational return after devastating incident

Young Australian Jeffrey Guan is returning to competitive professional golf this week just 11 months after a devastating injury threatened to end his career.

Keith Jackson

Updated: 27 Aug 2025

A young Australian talent is making a sensational return to professional golf this week less than a year after suffering a horrific injury which was expected to end his career.

Jeffrey Guan is competing in the Northern Territory PGA Championship in Darwin against all odds after losing his left eye in a freak accident in September last year.

The 21-year-old was playing in New South Wales when a ball struck by his pro-am partner hit him flush in the face, causing immense damage.

Surgeons were unable to restore the vision in his left eye, but Guan was determined to resume his professional golf career, and 11 months of hard work has got him back on Tour.

“It’s pretty unbelievable to be honest.” - @anthonyqgolf

“It’s just great that he’s back out giving it a go again.” - @HarrisonCrowe

Players are rallying behind Jeffrey Guan ahead of his inspirational return to golf at the #NTPGA, via @TonyWebeck.https://t.co/RcA0E38ZaY
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) August 27, 2025

He recently played a practice round at The Australian GC, and he was amazed at the number of spectators who had turned up to show their support for him.

Speaking to Golf Digest earlier this week, Guan said: “I shot four under at The Australian GC, and I hit the green in two on 18. It was an easier feeling being on the green and already under par. It was cool.

“Playing at The Australian GC has been surreal, honestly; there’s so much support and people just encouraging me to keep going. The first couple rounds back I shot in the mid-70s and shooting under par was emotional.

“When I lost the eyesight, the depth perception became really bad, really poor. I couldn't really even pick up a bottle [of water] at the hospital. It didn't help that I couldn't go outside. I couldn't walk because I had to keep the eye clean and stable.

“Coming back from that 12-month process and escalating slowly, to driving in a car and then slowly chipping and putting was probably the hardest process. Within those months, I couldn't do anything and, mentally, I wasn't feeling too great."

Guan has been granted a medical exemption to on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia this season, and his spirits have been lifted further by messages of support from the likes of Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee.

“I'm definitely excited for this week,” Guan added. “I've been practicing quite hard with my dad. I’m coming here with no expectations, though, and I think I'm just going to play and see where my game's at; see whether my tournament golf spirit comes back or not. I'm really excited, and the game is feeling pretty good.

“Min Woo and Adam have reached out. Adam has got such great character, he's such a role model. His message was along the lines of, ‘Get well, I hope you recover soon, and want to see you smashing it back out there on tour.’”

Keith Jackson joined GolfMagic's content team during the summer of 2025.

He has over 25 years' experience in the sports journalism industry, with almost 20 of those spent in digital media at Sky Sports, including seven years as digital editor for golf content.