Golf cameraman collapses in pain and taken to hospital after being struck by wayward shot

There were worrying scenes at the Scandinavian Mixed Open in Sweden as a cameraman collapsed to the floor after being hit in the head by a golf ball. Madelene Sagstrom was playing her third shot to the 18th in Friday’s second round, but mishit her attempt to reach the green.

Having been in the rough on the left side of the fairway, the ball shot across the course towards further trouble on the right hand side.

And while filming, the camera operator in question was powerless as the ball flew at him and knocked him off his feet.

The man initially went down with both hands clutched over his face. Meanwhile, concerned colleagues immediately rushed over to the cameraman to check on his wellbeing.

Sagstrom, who duly ended up with a triple bogey and missed the cut after finishing one over par, initially seemed unaware of how things had ended up. She casually walked after her ball with her caddy before being informed of what had transpired.

But despite the blow, he was later reported to be OK despite the incident. Golf Magic reporter Andy Roberts claimed on social media: “Just spoke to both DP World Tour pro Joost Luiten and Sky Sports Golf's Tony Johnstone.

“And they tell me the camera operator unfortunately struck in the head by Madelene Sagstrom on 18 today was taken straight to hospital but he is thankfully okay. A horrible moment.”

Jamie Spence, of Sky Sports Golf, was later quoted as saying: "He's okay. Very sore head, still in A and E." Fans online reacted to developments by expressing their own relief.

The incident signified one of Sagstrom’s final acts before bowing out of the DP World Tour event, where both male and female professionals compete. After two rounds home player Sebastian Soderberg led on 15 under par.

Sagstrom, 31, is predominantly based on the LPGA Tour in America. She rose to prominence in 2021 after finishing second at the Women’s British Open in Carnoustie. 

That same year, she also competed for Sweden at the Olympics. And her form led to her being announced as one of the captain's picks for the 2021 European Solheim Cup team.