PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Defending champion Charl Schwartzel withdrew from the Valspar Championship pro-am after 10 holes because of something that has never happened to him: He got hit by a golf ball. On his first hole at Innisbrook on Wednesday, a shot by one of his amateur partners ricocheted off a tree and struck him in the left wrist as he instinctively moved his arms below his waist to avoid it being more painful. He hit it forward, it hit the tree and came bouncing back at some speed,” Schwartzel said, starting to laugh at his media availability. He says there is no nerve damage, only some swelling, and he plans to treat it with ice and painkillers. The South African said his amateur partner felt terrible for the accident.

Source: National Post March 08, 2017 23:26 UTC