Defending champion Graeme McDowell was fearing the worse after hitting a spectator on the neck with an errant drive on the opening day of the French Open outside of Versailles.
McDowell leaked a shot right at the 14th hole of the National course and hitting a male spectator who collapsed to the ground in agony.
“There’s nothing good when you hit a spectator and you hear the words ‘the ball has hit a spectator and they’re down’, so that’s not a very good feeling,” he said.
“I am surprised that more people don’t get hurt when you’ve got big crowds like we had today and everyone is moving about, and you’ve got golf balls moving very fast into crowds.
“But thank God they don’t get hurt and as I said to him jokingly it wasn’t his best header in the world and he could have headed it back onto the fairway.
Graeme McDowell drives off the first but at his 14th hole he flattened a spectator with an errant drive. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
“So it wasn’t a very good break for me but it was a much worst break for him but fortunately he was attended to by medical staff and there seemed no concussion, so here’s hoping he’s okay.”
McDowell brought a smile to the face on the spectator when handing him an autographed glove with the message – ‘Je suis Desole’ (I’m sorry).
Unfortunately, McDowell bogeyed the hole after moments earlier also dropping a shot at the 13th on route to a one under par 69 that left him trailing six strokes behind visiting American Kevin Stadler.
McDowell finished two strokes ahead of fellow US Open winner Martin Kaymer while Frenchman and Ryder Cup rookie Victor Dubuisson, and the third member of the group, continued to struggle with hay fever shooting a five over par 76.
Also struggling with two double bogeys in three holes was Padraig Harrington and signing for a 74.
And Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley’s indifferent season when a shoulder injury forced him out just prior to tee off.
McGinley advised Tour officials he was struggling with a bout of bursitis in his left shoulder, and described as a minor trauma caused by overuse of the shoulder joints and muscles.
The European Ryder Cup captain was in some discomfort during Wednesday’s long five-hour Pro-Am when he was joined on the 2018 Ryder Cup host venue by long-time good friend, Dermot Desmond who was playing off a 12 handicap.
“I’m absolutely shattered,” he said after the Pro-Am.
