Share

Koepka shaken after hitting spectator

accreditation
Brooks Koepka (Getty)
Brooks Koepka (Getty)

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - American golfer Brooks Koepka was left shaken after injuring a spectator when he hit her in the face with a wild tee shot on the first day of the Ryder Cup in France. 

Koepka’s drive on the par-four sixth hole veered into the gallery on the left of the green and struck the woman. 

Three-time major winner Koepka gave a signed glove to the woman, who received immediate medical attention before being taken to hospital. 

Doctors have confirmed the injury is not serious. 

“It doesn’t feel good. It really doesn’t,” Koepka said of the incident. “You feel terrible for them. You know exactly how they are feeling, especially when you’ve got to go over there and apologise. 

“You don’t want to hit anybody in the face, especially not a woman, and it’s not a good feeling. It looked like it hurt. She was bleeding pretty good. It looked like it hit her right in the eye, so hopefully there’s no, you know, loss of vision or anything like that.” 

Koepka said hitting fans is not an unusual occurrence. 

“It’s not a fun feeling, and I probably do it way more than I should. It seems just about every week we’re hitting somebody, and you know, it’s unfortunate because you’re never trying to. 

“It’s hard to control a golf ball and especially for 300 yards. A lot of times, the fans are very close.” 

Koepka said he shouted a warning but wondered how much use it was. 

“The problem is, you shout ‘fore’ but from 300 yards, how are you supposed to hear it? How are you supposed to know?” he said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE