Tee shot to eye blinds Ryder Cup spectator

Golf spectators may have to stand further from the action at major competitions after a woman who lost her sight in one eye from a “bullet” ball said she plans to sue the Ryder Cup.

Corine Remande, 49, suffered the injury during Europe’s victory at Le Golf National near Paris over the weekend after American golfer Brooks Koepka, 28, hit a stray tee shot.

Insurance officials said the claim piled pressure on organizers to steer spectators away from “hazardous” holes.

The R&A, which organizes the British Open, taking place at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland next year, said it was already carefully planning viewing areas to maximize safety.

Remande, who had travelled from Egypt with her husband, said the “bullet” shot led to her “right eyeball exploding.”

Her comments came after the Americans repeatedly pointed out that the fairways in Europe were much tighter than they were used to at home, with spectators closer to the action.

“Quite clearly, there is responsibility on the part of the organizers,” said Remande. “Officials did not shout any warning as the ball went into the crowd,” she added, saying she would be consulting lawyers. “More than anything, I want them to take care of all the medical bills to make sure there is no risk of infection.”

Andrew Scott, health and safety manager at Gauntlet, a golf insurance firm, says: “What golf courses should learn from this case is that this sort of incident can occur on any course, at any time, and when such a thing takes place, people want answers. Golf clubs need to have risk management — measures in place, outlining where particular holes, tees and other course hazards could present dangers to players, staff and the public.

“They also need to ensure that they are adequately covered by insurance.”

Scans on Remande’s eye revealed a “fracture of the right socket and the explosion of the eyeball” which “surgeons managed to sew back together.”

“However, they told me I’d lost the sight in my right eye, and this was what was confirmed to me on Monday,” she said. A spokesman for the Ryder Cup, which is a biennial men’s golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States, said the news of her injury was “distressing.”

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

“We can confirm ‘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.”

Koepka, the current U.S. Open champion, rushed to look after Remande as she lay covered in blood, and she said she “appreciated the gesture.”