4 Oct 2018

Blinded Ryder Cup spectator could have died

7:38 am on 4 October 2018

A spectator blinded in one eye at the Ryder Cup could have died after being hit by a wayward golf ball.

Corine Remande, 49, was injured when American Brooks Koepka's drive on the par-four sixth hole veered off course at Le Golf National and struck her.

The Frenchwoman has told BBC Sport she would have been even more seriously injured if the ball had missed her right eye and hit the side of her head.

"For me, it's finished. I could not speak with you," she said.

Mrs Remande had travelled with husband Raphael from their home in Egypt to watch the Ryder Cup on the outskirts of Paris.

Corine Remande intends taking legal action against Ryder Cup organisers after she lost sight in one eye.

Corine Remande intends taking legal action against Ryder Cup organisers after she lost sight in one eye. Photo: BBC

She is planning legal action against the organisers after being hit by the stray ball, saying course officials did not give adequate warnings.

"It's so nice to be on the golf course, to see the players. I hope that this terrible accident will improve safety for the public," said Mrs Remande, who has been treated at a hospital in Lyon where she used to work as a secretary.

"The doctor said immediately to my husband that it was a very big explosion in my eye and it was impossible for me now to see again with this eye."

Mrs Remande said she did not blame Koepka but was worried about her future.

"I don't know how to live with only one eye. I like walking, sport, going to the gym and playing golf," she said.

The European Tour said 'fore' was shouted several times, and that marshals are not aware of a player's strategy in advance of any shot, especially in matchplay like the Ryder Cup.

It said there was contact with the family from the moment the incident happened - initially on site, then through the French Golf Federation, and subsequently by Ryder Cup Europe.

The organisation said Ryder Cup tickets contained ground regulations which clearly stated that spectators acknowledge the general risks associated with golf, including risks with errant shots.

-BBC