When we think of weird injuries in sports and in particular, in golf, we’re often drawn to unusual scenarios that lead to players missing the odd tournament.
For example, Viktor Hovland recently broke his toe on a bed frame, while Scottie Scheffler has yet to play in 2025 after injuring his hand partaking in festive activities at home over Christmas.
But while those injuries are unique in their nature and in the end, we can have a bit of a laugh about them, the same cannot be said for the golfer who was struck by lightning while actually playing.
Step forward, six-time major winner, Lee Trevino.
How Lee Trevino survived being struck by lightning to win eight more times on the PGA Tour
It’s actually pretty remarkable to think of someone surviving a lightning strike and still being able to compete at the highest level in any sport, never mind winning again.
But that’s exactly what happened to Lee Trevino.
The six-time major winner was struck by lightning back in 1975 while playing in the Western Open.
The incident proved to be a bit of a nightmare for Trevino, who suffered spinal injuries as a result of the strike and had to undergo numerous surgeries to correct things.
Still, Trevino got back on the horse and despite losing some speed and movement due to those surgeries, he adapted his game to become a master of course management and short-game.
Quite brilliantly, Trevino managed to get back in the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour and by 1980, he was back up to second in the world rankings, behind only Tom Watson.
Trevino managed to win eight times after his encounter with mother nature, which culminated in him winning his sixth and final major at the 1984 PGA Championship.
Lee Trevino joins Ben Hogan on list of all-time golf recoveries
Trevino’s story in itself is quite remarkable. But the fact he is one of the two greatest golfers of all time to come back from near-death experiences is quite something.
In the years before Trevino, golf legend Ben Hogan had completed his own stunning comeback after being involved in a near-death experience involving his car and a bus.
Hogan came back to win the US Open in his first year back on the TOUR and his story is another of the most eye-opening in the sport.
Of course, other sports have seen some miracle recoveries over the years. But you’d be hard-pressed to find two situations both as scary and inspiring as Hogan and Trevino’s efforts.
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