Rising PGA golfer makes first appearance since freak accident left him blind in one eye – but ‘utterly distraught’ star targets comeback after ‘four toughest weeks of my life’

Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan has made his first appearance since a freak accident last month, which the rising star has revealed has left him blind in one eye.

Guan, 20, was hit in the face by a golf ball during a pro-am tournament in Batemans Bay, New South Wales.

The incident came one week after he had made his debut on the PGA Tour at the Procore Championship in California.

Guan revealed he had spent weeks in intensive care following the incident and required two surgeries in an attempt to save his eye.

The golfer, who also sustained fractures to his lower eye socket, was then told by doctors he is unlikely to regain sight in his left eye.

The 20-year-old (pictured with a female friend) suffered career-threatening injuries when the stray ball, fired by one of his Pro-Am partners, struck him under the eye

Guan had spent weeks in intensive care and underwent two surgeries in a bid to save the eye

‘During my nights in hospital, I almost drowned in thoughts about the injury and my future in the sport,’ Guan wrote in a statement.

‘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.

‘The frustration is unbearable. Why did this happen? How in the world am I supposed to recover, return, and be the same player I was, or even better?

‘I had no idea. I was devastated and felt so lost.’

Doctors have informed the two-time Australian junior amateur champion, who turned professional last year, that his recovery is expected to take at last six months to a year.

The freak accident had occurred when Guan had hit his second shot from the third fairway.

Guan made his PGA Tour debut at the Procore Championship a week before the accident

The Australian turned professional last year after twice winning the nation’s amateur title

Guan has targeted making a comeback to the sport after the ‘four toughest weeks’ of his life

The golfer said he turned towards his buggy to place his iron back into his bag, when he was then struck by an errant tee shot from another golfer. 

Despite losing the sight in his left eye, Guan has targeted making a comeback to the sport and following his dream.

‘As a kid, I have always had a lot of perseverance and persistence,’ he added. ‘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.’

A fundraiser has been established by the Australian Sports Foundation with the aim of supporting Guan’s recovery.

The organisation stated if wants to provide Guan with the ‘significant financial support, and peace of mind, he needs to help him on his journey back to playing golf at the elite level.’