We honestly wouldn’t have believed it if we didn’t see it. But, yes, this actually happened. Ladies European Tour pro Anne Van Dam had her driver accidentally snapped by a gallery rope while getting a ride to a playoff hole. Talk about a nightmare scenario for a golfer.
OK, let’s set the scene at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. Van Dam was coming off a closing birdie to get into a playoff with Smilla Tarning Soenderby and Lisa Pettersson – a playoff that Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley missed joining by just a shot – when she hopped in a golf cart with a tournament official to ride back to the 18th tee. At one point, the cart slowed down as Van Dam lifted a gallery rope so they could drive underneath. But the 27-year-old Dutch golfer let go of the rope a bit too early and it caught around her driver. As the cart continued, the club’s head was snapped clean off.
No, really. This actually happened. Watch the crazy situation that might be the worst break (literally) in golf history:
Wow how unfortunate is this and I’m lost for words @Annevandam driver snapped heading back to the 18th @GolfDromoland for playoff @LETgolf 😳 @KPMG pic.twitter.com/CR2klQY2JW
— David Foley PGA (@davidjfoley) September 3, 2023
How ’bout that? Brutal stuff. We haven’t seen anyone get victimised by a gallery rope like that since Bryson DeChambeau’s self-inflicted knockout last year. And it got worse minutes later when Van Dam lost on the first extra hole to Soenderby.
According to Ryan French, a.k.a. Monday Q Info on Twitter, Van Dam teed off on the par 5 with her 3-wood instead. However, the five-time LET winner actually still had a great look at eagle after a brilliant approach shot.
What an approach from Vam Dam 👏#RaiseOurGame | #WIO2023 pic.twitter.com/E89iNjDw7J
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 3, 2023
But she couldn’t convert the putt. Meanwhile, Soenderby produced a walk-off eagle to earn her maiden LET title.
Smilla Tarning Soenderby wins the @KPMGWomensOpen with an eagle on the first playoff hole after posting a final round 62 (-10) 💥
Welcome to the winners circle Smilla 🏆#RaiseOurGame | #WIO2023 pic.twitter.com/OsKdDzeme4
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 3, 2023
As for Van Dam, we guess it just wasn’t meant to be her day week. She was allowed to replace the club in that situation, but she didn’t. Why? Well, you’re not going to believe this either.
It somehow gets worse.
On her way to the tournament Anne Van Dam’s main driver….was broken by the airline on her way to the event. This was her backup.
My goodness. What a week.
— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) September 3, 2023
When it rains it pours, right?
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