Charl Schwartzel injured in Valspar pro-am when partner hits him on wrist
Defending Valspar Championship champion Charl Schwartzel had to withdraw from Wednesday’s pro-am because he suffered an injury … at the hands of a playing partner.
The South African dropped out of the event after 10 holes following being struck in the wrist by a golf ball hit by one of his amateur partners. After the group played the back nine at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course, they made the turn to the front nine. On the first hole, one shot from an amateur player hit a tree and ricocheted back off Schwartzel’s left wrist as the 2011 Masters champion was covering up his reproductive parts out of instinct.
Schwartzel said that his left hand went numb to the point that he couldn’t hold a golf club, forcing him out of the event. However, Schwartzel will play in the Valspar Championship starting Thursday, using a combination of ice and some pain-killing medicine to limit the effect of the injury on his game.
He took the injury with good humor. After his playing partner showered him with apologies, Schwartzel spoke to the media.
“I played golf for 28 years now and I’ve never been hit by a golf ball,” Schwartzel said, “until this morning.”
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Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
