Italian golfer Andrea Pavan during the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic.

• Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been discharged from Mediclinic Stellenbosch and will stay in South Africa for the next five weeks.
• Pavan survived a horrific lift accident before last week’s South African Open Championship at Stellenbosch Golf Club.
• Pavan says it’s a “miracle” to be able to walk and he thanked businessman Johann Rupert for assisting with accomodation while he continues his recovery in South Africa.
• For more, visit News24’s golf section.

Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been released from Mediclinic Stellenbosch after surviving a horrific lift accident.

Pavan had been hospitalised after a shocking incident in which he fell three stories down an elevator shaft, just hours before he was scheduled to compete in last week’s South African Open.

The 36-year-old, staying at a private accommodation in Stellenbosch, called for an elevator but failed to realise there was no lift cab.

He fell down the shaft, sustaining a shoulder injury and multiple vertebral fractures, before being rushed to hospital.

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Pavan, a two-time DP World Tour winner, confirmed in a social media post on Wednesday that he had been discharged from the hospital, which is down the street from Stellenbosch Golf Club.

Pavan expressed his gratitude to South African businessman Johann Rupert for assisting him in securing accommodation in Cape Town, where he will continue his rehabilitation over the next five weeks.

While in the Intensive Care Unit, Pavan was visited by several DP World Tour players and caddies, including countryman Francesco Laporta, who was a runner-up at the SA Open.

Pavan, whose wife Audra flew to South Africa to join her husband, says it feels like a miracle that he is able to walk again.

“Today was a big day. I got discharged from the hospital to continue my rehab at an accommodation nearby kindly set up by the Rupert family,” Pavan wrote in his Instagram post.

“It truly feels like a miracle to be able to walk and start to do some basic activities, although at a very slow and careful pace.

“I would like to thank all the Mediclinic staff, all the surgeons, nurses and everyone who has made this incredible recovery a possibility.

“Thank you to DP World Tour & Sunshine Tour in particular Mateo, Ben, Joel and all the people who helped me along this last week. The DP World Tour players and caddies who came to visit me in ICU while playing the SA Open - it truly felt like a big family!”

A GoFundMe was set up for Pavan by one of his friends in Texas, which has since raised more than $80 000 (R1.3 million).

Pavan, a three-time Major participant, including the US Open last year, last competed at the Qatar Masters, where he failed to make the cut.

Pavan revealed that he will remain in South Africa for the next five weeks to continue his rehabiliation.

“Thank you to all the friends, family, sponsors and people who reached out with messages and prayers and stepped in to help in all kinds of different ways,” the Italian continued.

“I am sorry I could not get back to all of you yet, but my heart is overwhelmed with love and joy. God has answered many prayers, it truly feels like His hand is on my recovery.

“The road is very long but this small step feels very good! I will need to stay in South Africa another five weeks and rehab both shoulder and back, and heal other bruises and secondary injuries and once back home continue the rehab journey.”

The DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour’s South African leg concludes this week with the Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club.