“I couldn’t do much; sleeping was difficult, let alone walking or eating. Any activity that required energy meant I was in excruciating pain,” Guan said.
“During my nights in hospital, I almost drowned in thoughts about the injury and my future in the sport. Not only was I utterly distraught by the news I had received, but the whole situation made me very depressed and somewhat angry.
Australian golfer Jeff Guan in 2022, ahead of the Junior Presidents Cup.Credit: Edwina Pickles
“Anxiety about my future was swirling in my mind. I was utterly distraught. It has come at a tremendous cost and has significantly affected me and my family.
“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 felt so devastated and lost.”
Guan has, so far, not regained any sight in his left eye, however, and specialists have told him his recovery will take up to a year. He will not be able to swing a golf club for six months, and along with questions about how loss of vision in one eye will impact his ability, Guan’s future as an elite golfer is under a cloud.
Five weeks on, Guan said he is now in a more positive mindset and has started going for short walks.
Guan is hoping to return to the course when doctors give the all-clear.Credit: David Tease/NSW Golf
He said he has not given up on pursuing a career in golf.
“Hopefully – I have had people talk to me about other athletes who have played sports with other injuries, not just the eye but even more severe, like the loss of a limb. That shows how people can come around from their injury and recovery and still play their sport,” Guan told this masthead.
“I have been thinking about it quite a bit. It might be a six-month to a year recovery, but I am looking forward to getting back into it.”
Guan said he held no ill will towards the person responsible for the golf ball that hit him, but said he’d not spoken with them.
“They have reached out to Golf NSW and Golf Australia while I was in hospital, but I didn’t have any contact with anyone at that stage,” Guan said.
“I don’t blame anyone at all. It was just a freak accident.”
Guan, who is a past recipient of a Cameron Smith scholarship and travelled to the US to spend time with the Australian star, has received messages of support from Adam Scott, Jason Day and Min Woo Lee.
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Guan finished tied for 18th at the Australian PGA Championship and 21st in the Australian Open last year as a teenager.
Guan said he is undertaking a golf coaching course and will pursue coaching if playing doesn’t work out.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“Again, I can’t thank everyone enough who reached out to help rebuild my strength physically and emotionally. I will be back.”
