A ‘Heartbroken’ Brooks Koepka Was Left Devastated After Blinding a Spectator and Scarring Them for Life With His Errant Strike in 2018

Fans know Brooks Koepka for staying at the number one position of OWGR for 47 weeks after winning the 2018 CJ Cup. However, the same year, the major highlight was a shocking incident during Ryder Cup. The rumors of differences between Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka were already making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The eye accident did not help Koepka with the scenario then. However, The LIV player denied any fall-out with Johnson. In an interview, he talked to reporters and denied any claim of the dispute between the two.

He said that he loved Johnson to death and was one of his best friends. And between all this, the blinding eye incident shocked the golf world.

Koepka was aware of the outcomes that led to the female spectator ending up in the hospital. He was sorry for what happened. It was not an intentional act and therefore; he apologized.

How did Brooks Koepka ruin a spectator’s eye?

At the 2018 Ryder Cup, one of Brooks Koepka’s drives suddenly changed its direction and flew into the gallery on the par-four sixth hole. As a result, it rushed one spectator to the hospital with a severe eye injury. Corine Remande, who was 49 years old, flew to France only to witness the event in person. However, it did not end well for her, as she told the AFP that she had permanently lost sight in one eye. 

Read more- ‘Prove Them Wrong’: After Being Prejudiced, Brooks Koepka’s Dad Reveals How His Son Broke the Barriers

Koepka was aware of what she suffered and expressed his feelings. “I am heartbroken by the incident. My thoughts remain with Ms. Remande and her family, and I have asked to be kept informed of her condition,” said the former PGA golfer. At first, the former number-one golfer did not realize the severity of the situation. But later, when he spoke to her, he discovered her condition was way worse than he had imagined. He felt sorry and expressed sympathy for her family. He said, “I have made contact with her/family to offer my sincere and heartfelt sympathy.”

The Ryder Cup authorities sent a statement regarding the woman’s claim for damages to pay her medical expenses to BBC sport. However, Remande criticized the Ryder Cup organizers for turning their back on the situation. According to her, the authorities failed to get in touch with her after the event. They also failed to give her signs of a ball approaching her, which could have potentially saved her eye. 

What did the victim say about the incident?

After the accident, Remande never thought of the severity of the situation. She did not feel the ball hitting her eye, although she realized blood was gushing out of her eye. However, later doctors confirmed a “fracture of the right eye-socket and an explosion of the eyeball.”

Even after all the difficulties faced by Remande, she had no hard feelings towards the pro golfer. She praised him for checking on her immediately. The US golfer realized his mistake immediately and rushed towards her after the ball hit her eye. She even revealed that she intentionally downplayed the severity of her injury so the accident did not hamper Koepka’s concentration.

Watch this story- Explained: Brooks Koepka vs Bryson DeChambeau

Do you think it was an unlucky day for him? Please share your views with us in the comments.