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Sport

05th Oct 2018

Woman who lost sight in eye after being hit by ball during Ryder Cup speaks out

Alan Loughnane

Some people were more concerned with taking pictures of her

A woman who was left blind in one eye after being struck by a golf ball at the Ryder Cup has condemned the reactions of the supporters around her following the incident.

Corine Remande was struck by a golf ball hit from a Brooks Koepka tee shot, causing her to lose sight in her right eye.

The impact left her with a fractured eye socket and caused her eyeball to explode.

According to 7 Sport, Remande is very unhappy with the reaction of some of the crowd around her, who were more interested in taking photos than helping her out.

“Before being moved, in a big mess, I was afraid of being trampled because Tiger Woods was coming and the crowd was growing around us,” she said.

“What shocked me too was that the spectators were taking pictures of me, but no one was calling for help.”

Speaking after the incident, Brooks Koepka was distraught and admitted he missed several shots afterwards because it was playing on his mind.

“No one feels worse about this than I do. It’s a tragic accident,” said Koepka.

“I’m heartbroken and all messed up inside. It’s sad and I really am torn up about it.

“She’s not going to be able to see out of her eye ever again. All because I hit a golf ball. This is definitely the one shot in my career that I am going to regret.”

A spokesperson for the Ryder Cup told the BBC that they will provide all the necessary support for Remande.

“We have been in communication with the family involved, starting with the immediate on-course treatment and thereafter to provide support, helping with the logistics of repatriation, including providing a transfer for the family from Paris to Lyon. We will continue to offer support for as long as necessary,” they said.

“Ball strikes are an occasional hazard for spectators but this kind of incident is extremely rare.

“We can confirm that ‘fore’ was shouted several times but also appreciate how hard it can be to know when and where every ball is struck if you are in the crowd.

“We are hugely sympathetic and will do everything we can to support the spectator, insofar as that is possible under very difficult circumstances.”