The French woman struck by a golf ball that left her blind in one eye during the Ryder Cup on Friday says she initially didn't know what had happened.
Corine Remande, who was speaking to the BBC in Lyon on Wednesday, was struck in the eye when American Brooks Koepka's drive veered wide of the fairway on the opening day of the tournament between Europe and the United States in Paris.
"And suddenly, I feel something on me but I don't realise what is it. It's all the people around me, said: 'Oh, look this lady... the ball, catch this lady (should catch it)," she said.
She said she could have died if the ball had missed her right eye and hit the side of her head.
"For me, it's finished. I could not speak with you," she said.
Remande added that she hoped her accident would improve safety precautions at golf tournaments.
Frenchwoman Corine Remande, 49, poses in Lyon after she said she was taking legal action against the golf Ryder Cup event's organisers. Source: Getty Images
Ryder Cup organisers revealed they were helping Remande, who said she was unable to see out of her right eye after being hit when Koepka's drive veered wide of the fairway on the sixth hole.
"Doctors told me I had lost the use of that eye," Remande told French news agency AFP.
Remande was treated at the course before being taken to hospital. US Open champion Koepka stopped to see how she was.
Koepka, who is in Scotland for this week's European Tour event, issued a statement on Twitter on Tuesday expressing his concern at the incident.
"I was deeply hurt and saddened by the tragic accident that occurred when a shot I hit off the 6th tee struck Ms. Remande," he wrote.
"I spoke to her at the time on the golf course and after now learning her condition is worse than first thought, I have made contact with her/family to offer my sincere and heartfelt sympathy.
"I am heartbroken by the incident. My thoughts remain with Ms. Remande and I have asked to be kept informed of her condition."
Koepka's tweet followed earlier comments by a Ryder Cup spokesperson.
"It is distressing to hear that someone might suffer long-term consequences from a ball strike," the spokesperson said.
Organisers promised to do as much as possible to help.
"We are hugely sympathetic and will do everything we can to support the spectator, insofar as that is possible under very difficult circumstances," they said in a statement.
"We have been in communication with the family involved, starting with the immediate on-course treatment and thereafter to provide support, helping with the logistics of repatriation, including providing a transfer for the family from Paris to Lyon. We will continue to offer support for as long as necessary."
Brooks Koepka signs a glove and gives it to the woman who was hit by the ball during the Ryder Cup. Source: Getty Images
Ball strikes in golf are an occasional hazard but serious injuries as a result are relatively rare.
"We can confirm that 'fore' was shouted several times but also appreciate how hard it can be to know when and where every ball is struck if you are in the crowd," organisers said.
Europe's triumphant captain Thomas Bjorn said the incident was "upsetting".
"Golf will definitely have to look at anything they can do to protect the fans but I have to say it's the first time I've heard of an incident like this in the time I've played," the Dane told Sky Sports News.
"It's so unfortunate and all our thoughts from me and the team are with her at this moment."
The Royal & Ancient, custodians of golf's laws and organisers of the British Open, state in the terms and conditions on the back of its Open tickets that spectators "assume all risk" of being struck by a golf ball.
The PGA Tour does likewise at US tournaments.
