As a golf pro, I’m used to the sounds of a major tournament, the roars, the applause, the collective gasp of a near-miss. But the sound I’ll never forget from the 2018 Ryder Cup was the silence. It was a dead, heavy quiet that fell over the 6th hole at Le Golf National after one of the most horrific accidents I’ve ever seen.
The atmosphere that day was electric. It was the Ryder Cup, Europe vs. the USA, and fans from all over the world were packed in, creating a sea of noise and color. One of those fans was Corinne Remande, who had flown in from Egypt with her husband to live out a lifelong dream of attending golf’s greatest event.
That dream turned into a nightmare in the blink of an eye.
Brooks Koepka, one of the longest hitters in the world who has earned so much from the game, stepped up to the tee. He launched a drive that veered sharply right, a dreaded block that sent the ball rocketing toward the gallery at over 180 miles per hour. While players and caddies insist they yelled “Fore!”, the warning was lost in the chaos.
The ball struck Corinne directly in the face. She collapsed instantly.
More Than Just an Injury
I watched the footage of Koepka, visibly shaken, making his way over to her. The joy of the Ryder Cup had evaporated, replaced by shock and confusion. But the true horror of the situation wouldn’t be known until later.
At the hospital, Corinne was diagnosed with a fractured eye socket. The doctors then delivered the devastating news: her right eyeball had exploded on impact. The damage was irreparable. She was now permanently blind in that eye. Her quote still haunts me: “When she was down on the ground, she could feel blood streaming from her eye.”
The Uncomfortable Question That Changed Golf
In the aftermath, Koepka called it one of the worst days of his life. But Corinne’s bravery is what truly defined this story. She came forward not to place blame, but to ask a simple, crucial question: Are fans truly safe?
She argued that there weren’t enough warnings from officials and that organizers could have done more. Her story sparked a massive debate across the golf world. Should ropes be moved further back? Do we need more marshals? Are players doing enough to protect the very people who come to support them?
Her courage forced the sport to look in the mirror. Players became more vigilant, and organizers began re-evaluating course safety. While her life is forever altered, her story was more than a tragedy. It was a catalyst for change. It’s a powerful reminder that amidst the glory of world-class sport, a single moment can change a life forever.
Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni. He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint at LinkedIn, FB, his website, or Clintcpga@gmail.com.
