Wife of former Open champion rushed to hospital after being attacked by family dog

Former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia has revealed his wife required hospital treatment after being bitten by the couple’s pet dog.

Calcavecchia shared the news on social media, posting a photo of his wife Brenda in a hospital bed with visible facial injuries following the incident.

According to the 65-year-old American, the couple’s Jack Russell terrier, Lucie, attacked Brenda while she was asleep, leaving her needing stitches at a local hospital in Florida.

“Well s***,” Calcavecchia wrote on X. “Our cray cray Jack Russell Lucie decided to take a bite outta @brendacalc face at zzz time. Unexpected trip to Brevard hospital for stitches. Not good.”

The former major champion did not provide further details on Brenda’s condition or what may have triggered the incident. 

It is also unclear what will happen to the dog following the attack.

The update comes a month after Calcavecchia made headlines during Masters week at Augusta National Golf Club. 

The four-time Ryder Cup player was escorted from the grounds after reportedly breaking the tournament’s strict no-mobile-phone policy.

Speaking to Golfweek afterwards, Calcavecchia declined to criticise tournament officials, saying: “I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters.”

Calcavecchia remains one of the most recognisable figures of his generation, winning 13 times on the PGA Tour including his sole major title at the 1989 Open in a three-way playoff at Royal Troon. 

He now competes on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, where he has four wins to his name.