Andrea Pavan after fall down elevator: 'I am in very good hands'

Field Level Media
27 Feb 2026, 22:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

Italian golfer Andrea Pavan is recovering from surgery after falling down an elevator shaft prior to a DP World Tour event in Cape Town, South Africa.

Pavan, 36, was slated to play the South African Open this week before the incident occurred.

He apparently was unaware that an elevator cab was missing and stepped forward after the doors opened. He fell three stories and sustained shoulder and back injuries, per Golf Channel.

'I would like to say a big thank you for all the kind words and wishes I have received over the last 48 hours,' Pavan said in a statement released via the DP World Tour. 'I had surgery on my shoulder and my back on Wednesday evening and I am currently recovering in hospital.

'I now have a lot of rehab and hard work ahead of me, but the care I have received so far from the Mediclinic hospital staff has been incredible, as has the support from the DP World Tour, Sunshine Tour and all their staff here in Stellenbosch.

'The last two days have been difficult, but I am in very good hands and to have so many players, caddies and staff visit and contact me has meant a lot to me. Grazie mille everyone, from me, my wife Audra, and my entire family.'

Ranked 249th in the world, Pavan won the 2018 D+D Real Czech Masters and the 2019 BMW International Open. He played collegiately at Texas A&M.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cape Town Express.

More Information

International

Section

Panama seizes key canal ports, HK lodges protest

BANGKOK, Thailand: Hong Kong has formally protested Panama's decision to take control of two strategically important ports at either...

Greece’s Galaxidi town erupts in ‘flour war’ to mark start of Lent

GALAXIDI, Greece: Marking the end of carnival season festivities and the start of the Lent season, the Greek seaside town of Galaxidi...

Tourette syndrome campaigner utters racial slur, BAFTA, BBC apologize

LONDON, U.K.: A racial slur by a Tourette syndrome campaigner during the British Academy Film Awards has forced the awards body, the...

Tracking girlfriend led to capture, death of Mexican drug lord

MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Keeping tabs on the cartel leader's romantic partner helped Mexican armed forces zero in on the notorious El Mencho,...

Fuel leaks, oil issues push Air India incidents up

NEW DELHI, India: Air India's rate of technical incidents, including fuel and engine oil leaks, rose to its highest level in at least...

Andrew used UK’s metropolitan police for security at Epstein dinner

LONDON, U.K.: In the sordid unfolding saga of the now disgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, British media reported on...

South Africa

Section

Rinku Singh to join Team India in Kolkata tomorrow ahead of crucial West Indies match

New Delhi [India], February 27 (ANI): Batter Rinku Singh, who lost his father on Friday morning, will join the Team India squad tomorrow...

"India is the world's fastest-growing major economy": Canadian PM Mark Carney in Mumbai to forge partnerships and unlock new opportunities

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 27 (ANI): Upon his arrival in the financial capital, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, accompanied...