November 3, 2024

MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz experienced a frightening incident on the golf course recently, where he was struck in the face by a golf ball.

During a conference call on Tuesday for the American Century Championship, an annual celebrity golf tournament held at Lake Tahoe, Smoltz recounted the unsettling experience.

“This was the first time something like this has happened to me on a golf course,” Smoltz shared. “I got hit in the head just above the eye at about 100 miles per hour. It was the hardest I’ve ever been hit. I feel very lucky and blessed. It happened almost two weeks ago tomorrow.”

Despite being a favorite in the 2024 tournament, Smoltz showed visible signs of his injury, with a noticeable bruise on his face during the Zoom call. Smoltz, a consistent participant in the ACC, finished as runner-up in both 2010 and 2021

“So far, the only lasting issue is some hearing problems, but I’m grateful that it’s nothing more serious,” said Smoltz.

He was awarded the National League Cy Young Award in 1996 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

The American Century Championship, a made-for-TV event, is set to be held for the 35th time in 2024. This year, however, the defending champion, Steph Curry, will not be participating as he will be representing the U.S. Olympic basketball team this summer.

 

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