Koepka 'heartbroken' after Ryder Cup fan blinded in one eye

AFP  |  Paris 

Triple major winner said he was "heartbroken" that a fan hit by his wayward shot had been blinded in one eye.

posted a statement on saying he had been in contact with and her family and offered his "heartfelt sympathy".

Frenchwoman Remande, aged 49, said she was taking legal action against the event's organisers after being hit on Friday's opening day, when Koepka's drive on the par-four sixth hole careered into the crowd at Le National near

"I spoke to her at the time on the course and after now learning her condition is worse than first thought, I have made contact with her family to offer my sincere and heartfelt sympathy," said

"I am heartbroken by the incident. My thoughts remain with Ms. Remande and her family, and I have asked to be kept informed on her condition."

Remande launched her legal action in the French city of on Tuesday. The complaint, seen by AFP, alleges organisers were responsible for "a lack of safety rules".

"The should have shouted 'ball', or 'fore' for English speakers. Given the distance, the stewards should have relayed this information to the green," she adds in the complaint.

Remande told AFP after being examined at a hospital on Monday: "They told me I'd lost the sight in my right eye and this was confirmed to me today."

She has a fractured eye socket and a damaged eyeball. Remande said there was no warning from stewards at the course before the ball hurtled into the gallery.

"Quite clearly, there is responsibility on the part of the organisers," she told AFP.

She and her husband had travelled to from their home in to watch the biennial showdown between and the organisers said they would "continue to offer support" to Remande, but said a warning was shouted to spectators.

- 'Extremely rare' -

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"We can confirm that '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," a statement said.

"It is distressing to hear that someone might suffer long term consequences from a ball strike," the organisers said.

"Ball strikes are an occasional hazard for spectators but this kind of incident is extremely rare." Organisers said they had been in contact with the family and had helped "with the logistics of repatriation, including providing a transfer for the family from to

"We will continue to offer support for as long as necessary.

"We are hugely sympathetic and will do everything we can to support the spectator, insofar as that is possible under very difficult circumstances." Remande received first aid on the spot before being transferred to a specialist eye hospital in

She was then driven to her parents' home in Lyon after doctors advised her not to fly immediately back to

Remande said: "More than anything I want them to take care of all the medical bills to make sure there is no risk of infection.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, October 03 2018. 09:45 IST