Pro golfer hospitalized after falling down elevator shaft in freak accident in South Africa

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Professional golfer Andrea Pavan withdrew from the DP World Tour’s Investec South African Open due to injuries he sustained in a freak elevator accident.

Pavan, 36, was hospitalized and "thankful to be alive" after he fell down an elevator shaft in the building he was staying in near Cape Town, South Africa, for the tournament, according to Monday Q Info.

"By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids," Pavan’s former Texas A&M coach, J.T. Higgins, told the Golf Channel. Higgins hadn’t spoken to Pavan yet, but he was updated on his condition.

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Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the sixth hole during round one of the Qatar Masters 2026 at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 5, 2026. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)

Golf Channel learned through sources within Pavan’s inner circle that the golfer had called for an elevator within the building where he was staying. However, when the doors to the elevator opened, a cab had not come up.

Pavan didn’t realize that as he stepped through the doors and fell three stories below.

Pavan sustained multiple injuries, including to his back and shoulder. He underwent "extensive surgeries" Wednesday night to repair the damage.

Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the sixth hole during round one of the Qatar Masters 2026 golf tournament at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 5, 2026. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)

No known recovery timeline for Pavan has been released.

The Italian golfer has eight professional wins in his career, including two on