Cristie Kerr at the 2020 Women's PGA Championship in October. Oct 8, 2020; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Cristie Kerr talks to her caddie on the third tee during the first round of the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, the LPGA announced that golfer Cristie Kerr had withdrawn from the Volunteers of America Classic (in The Colony, Texas) due to injury. On Saturday, more news came out about how serious that injury was, and how it came from an early-morning golf cart accident Friday that sent both her and caddie Matt Gelczis to the emergency room for several hours. Here’s more on that from Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek:

Cristie Kerr withdrew from the Volunteers of America Classic on Friday after an early-morning golf cart accident prior to play.

Kerr’s husband, Erik Stevens, confirmed that the accident occurred in dark conditions at the Old American Golf Club and both Kerr and her caddie, Matt Gelczis, spent several hours in the emergency room with multiple serious injuries before being discharged late in the afternoon.

Gelczis caddied for ANA Inspiration winner Mirim Lee earlier this year in Rancho Mirage, California. The extent of their injuries remains unknown.

That’s quite the blow for Kerr (seen above at the 2020 Women’s PGA Championship in October), who had shot a 1-over 72 in the first round of the tournament Thursday. And these injuries could potentially impact if she’s able to play at next week’s U.S. Women’s Open in Houston. There’s no word on her status for that tournament yet.

Kerr, 43, has won 20 times on the LPGA Tour, including the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2010 Women’s PGA Championship. She’s also dabbled in broadcasting for Golf Channel last year and this year. We wish her the best as she recovers.

[Golfweek]

 

About Andrew Bucholtz

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.