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In what has to be one of the wildest things I've come across in my time covering golf's most over-the-top moments, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce accidentally struck a fan in the head with his drive on Friday, July 12 at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament. According to eyewitnesses and the victim herself, Katie Hauss was enjoying the action from the sidelines on Friday when all of a sudden she felt a thwack to the back of her noggin.
"When I got hit, I immediately felt pain," Hauss, 37, told PEOPLE exclusively. "I was just trying to focus on not blacking out, and at that point I didn’t really know what had happened. I then heard people start yelling and screaming that it was Travis Kelce’s golf shot, and 'Oh my god, that girl just got hit in the head.' ”
In an exclusive interview, Hauss recounts the scary ordeal - feeling the initial pain, then seeing blood pouring down as she realized the extent of her injury. Thankfully a Good Samaritan was on hand to provide first aid until EMTs arrived. But not before Kelce himself walked over to check on her condition. You've gotta respect the tight end for owning up to what had to be an absolutely mortifying mistake. Hauss says he was clearly rattled but still tried to lighten the mood by cracking jokes.
An EMT attends to Katie Hauss, the woman who was hit in the head by Travis Kelce's golf ball/ COURTESY KATIE HAUSS
"I tried to stay really calm and told my husband that I thought I was ok, it just hurt really bad," she added. "Then when I put my hand to my head there was a lot of blood. I knelt down to try and get my bearings and then a Good Samaritan — he must have been a doctor or a first responder of some sort — came over and immediately applied pressure to the wound on my head. He told me stay still and that they were calling for the EMTs. I am just so appreciative to that man for helping me, a complete stranger, and I wish I could thank him for his kindness."
Hauss was evaluated at a local hospital, where doctors determined she had suffered a concussion. She received several stitches to close a wound on her head.
More than a week after the accident, Hauss says she is slowly recovering, though putting a helmet on for her work with horses was initially difficult. She holds no ill will towards Kelce, calling it a total accident.
"I go up every year for the tournament. Celebrity golf is something we always look forward to attending and is one of our favorite weeks of the year," Hauss said
Katie Hauss is wheeled off by paramedics after being hit in the head by Travis Kelce's golf ball. COURTESY KATIE HAUSS
After a trip to the ER where she got stitched up, it seems like our spectator will be just fine - though recovering from a concussion means taking it easy on those horse riding sessions she's known for.
"This week was a bit touch and go, but as of today I’m feeling much better and on the mend!" Hauss reflected. "I ride horses professionally for work so putting a helmet on earlier this week was a bit difficult but I managed. The doctor had wanted to originally give me staples but I negotiated for some dissolving stitches and glue given the nature of my work."
She also commented on remarks made by the Kelce brothers on their New Heights podcast before the tournament. "Travis joked 'Don't feel bad if you hit somebody because they bought the ticket,'" Hauss recalled. "I’m sure they never imagined that someone would actually get hurt when they said those things. I still can’t believe it happened to be honest!"
@newheightshow Travis had some advice for Jason before they go golfing in Tahoe this week
♬ original sound - New Heights
In true viral golf gossip fashion, this story has it all: gore, awkward celebrity encounters, and that classic American Century "anything can happen" energy. Get well soon Katie! As for you TK, maybe stick to throwing touchdowns in the future...
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