An emotional update from golfer Andrea Pavan feels like a miracle. Just days after a life-threatening fall in South Africa, the Italian pro is out of the hospital, sharing his first steps on a long road to recovery.

"It feels like a miracle to be able to walk and start doing some basic things, even if it is a very slow and very careful pace," Pavan said in an emotional post on social media.

The harrowing incident unfolded during the Investec South African Open Championship week when Pavan stepped into what he believed was an elevator at his accommodation.

Unbeknownst to the 36-year-old, the doors had opened to an empty shaft, causing him to plummet three stories and sustain catastrophic injuries to his back and shoulder.

Medical teams performed a grueling six-hour surgery to stabilize several fractured vertebrae and repair his shattered joints, a procedure critical to ensuring he could walk again.

Fortunately, as Pavan's collegiate coach shared, "By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids."

Pavan even sent a message for the medical staff. "I would like to thank all the Mediclinic staff, all the surgeons, nurses and everyone who has made this incredible recovery a possibility."

Although Pavan has been discharged, he is unable to return home to Italy because he cannot fly internationally until he receives the necessary medical clearance and supervision.

The Long Road to Recovery in South Africa

"I will need to stay in South Africa another 5 weeks, and do rehab on both shoulders and my back, and heal other bruises and secondary injuries," the golfer said.

The Rupert family, long-time patrons of the tour, are providing Pavan with accommodations in South Africa for the first phase of his rehabilitation.

"God has answered many prayers; it truly feels like His hand is on my recovery," Pavan remarked, acknowledging the prayers offered on his behalf during his time in the ICU.

This case is similar to other "freak" sports injuries, like Dustin Johnson's withdrawal from the 2017 Masters after he fell down the stairs, reminding fans how suddenly a professional career can get put on hold.

The two-time European Tour winner is now focused on small, day-to-day victories during his recovery.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar