DP World Tour pro Andrea Pavan injured in "freak accident" at South African Open

Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been seriously injured in what has been described as a “freak accident” during this week’s South African Open on the DP World Tour.

According to multiple sources on site, the two-time DP World Tour winner fell down an elevator shaft after the doors opened on his floor but the lift car itself was not present. It is understood Pavan fell several floors in the incident.

While early indications suggest the injuries are not life-threatening, Pavan, 36, required surgery and remained in the operating theatre for several hours following the accident.

The initial update was reported by Monday Q Info on X (formerly Twitter), which cited multiple sources at the tournament. 

The post described the incident as “horrible news” and confirmed that Pavan had been badly injured after falling down the shaft when the elevator doors opened without the car in place.

Pavan has since withdrawn from the event and been replaced in the field by Scotland’s Richie Ramsay.

"Some horrible news from the DP event in South Africa," posted Monday Q Info during Thursday's first round at Stellenbosch Gold Club. 

"Andrea Pavan, 2-time DP winner was badly injured in a freak accident at this week's event.

"According to multiple people, Pavan fell down an elevator shaft after the doors opened on the floor he was on but the car itself wasn't there.

"He fell multiple floors and was badly injured. Although from the people I spoke with the injuries don't seem to be life-threatening, he was in surgery for hours. 

"Keep Andrea and his family in your thoughts."

Pavan's former college coach JT Higgins told Golf Channel: "By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids."

Pavon won his two career DP World Tour titles to date at the 2018 Czech Masters and 2019 BMW International Open. 

He also has five wins to his name on the lower-tier Challenge Tour, with victories spanning 2011 to 2023. 

In 2021, Pavan sustained significant wrist injuries that contributed to a dip in form. 

The 35-year-old Italian currently sits 249th in the Official World Golf Ranking and had made a promising start to the 2026 DP World Tour season. He recorded a tie for 14th at the Dubai Desert Classic and followed that up with a tie for ninth at the Bahrain Championship, before missing the cut at the Qatar Masters.

Pavan, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, is one of Italy’s most experienced professionals and has been a consistent presence on the circuit in recent seasons.

Further updates on his condition are expected in due course.

GolfMagic sends its best wishes to Pavan and his family as he begins his recovery.