Jeffrey Guan and his extraordinary return to golf after the tragedy of losing an eye

From promising young talent to unexpected tragedy

Jeffrey Guan, 21, is one of the biggest hopes of Australian golf. He has won two consecutive national junior championships and set a record of -16 strokes at the 2022 Junior Players Championship, one of the most prestigious junior tournaments in the world . This achievement helped him receive a spot on the 2024 PGA Tour of Australia, officially stepping into the professional playing field.

With his confidence, composure and natural talent, Guan quickly attracted attention and was signed by Sportfive, the management company of stars like Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson.

Last September, while competing in Sydney, Guan was hit in the face by a golf ball, breaking his cheekbone and severely damaging his eye socket, resulting in permanent loss of vision in his left eye.

After the serious incident, Guan had to undergo surgery in New South Wales (Sydney) and spent two weeks in the recovery room, before being transferred to Sydney for a second operation. Here, doctors said he was unlikely to regain sight in his left eye, a shock that seemed to end his career.

Determined to come back and extraordinary performance

Instead of giving up, Guan learned to adapt to life with one eye, from walking and driving to adjusting his posture and swing. PGA Australia and the Australian Sports Foundation launched a campaign to raise 500,000 AUD to support his treatment.

After nearly a year, Guan made a strong return to form at the Northern Territory PGA Championship in Palmerston. He shot a 4-under 68 in practice before the tournament, and shot a 74 in his first official round. He said his first tee shot “felt great.”

“I was not as nervous as I thought at all, there were many mistakes and many areas to improve, but just being on the field felt great,” Guan said.

Ahead of the Palmerston tournament, Guan had to adjust his game due to his limited vision. “I didn’t think I would be back this year, but after practicing for a while, I felt confident with my shot and thought, ‘Why not give it a try?’” he said.

“Many times, I asked myself: 'Is it all over?'. I couldn't eat or do much work. I wasn't allowed to walk to keep my eyes stable. Those thoughts haunted me for three or four months,” Guan revealed about his difficult time in the hospital.

Now, as he is slowly making his way back, Guan said: “I came here with no expectations. I just want to enjoy the tournament and compete to see where I am.”