Jeffrey Guan: Australian golfer blinded in one eye in a freak accident shortly after his PGA Tour debut

Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan lost his left eye after being hit by a ball in a freak accident at a tournament for professionals last month.

The incident occurred a week after the 20-year-old made his PGA Tour debut.

Guan had surgery in New South Wales and spent two weeks in intensive care after being transferred to Sydney for a second surgery.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the accident, he revealed that doctors had told him he would never regain the sight in his eye.

However, Guan, who has been playing professionally for a year, is aiming for a return to the elite level of the game.

“As a child, I always had great determination and perseverance. I will continue to work hard and do my best to achieve my dreams,” Guan wrote in a statement.

“I’ll be back.”

Guan is a two-time Australian junior amateur champion, following in the footsteps of major champions Adam Scott, Jason Day and Cameron Smith to win the title.

He then fulfilled a long-held dream by making his PGA Tour debut at the Procore Championship in California, playing in a field that included American Ryder Cup pair Wyndham Clark and Max Homa as well as British former Masters champion Danny Willett.

Guan recently signed a deal with sports agency Sportfive, which also represents Spanish former world number one Jon Rahm.

A week after his tour debut, he returned to New South Wales and performed professionally at the Catalina Club; The unthinkable happened here.

After hitting his second shot from the third fairway, Guan turned toward his car to put the iron back in his bag.

“That’s when I got shot,” Guan said.

“Instant ringing and pain rushed into my head and I fell to the ground.”

Guan said there has been “very little good news” in the four weeks since the incident.

He revealed the extent of the damage after receiving a full evaluation from eye specialists on Thursday.

“These four weeks have been the toughest of my life, but I am mentally stronger and will be ready to overcome any obstacle in the future,” he added.