(CNN)He described it as "one of the worst days" of his life after US Ryder Cup star Brooks Koepka discovered his wayward golf shot caused a woman to lose sight in one eye.
The 28-year-old golfer said he was "heartbroken" and "all messed up inside" when Corine Remande revealed the shot that fractured her right eye socket and caused an "explosion of the eyeball" had left her permanently without vision.
"It's a tragic accident, I'm heartbroken," Koepka told reporters Tuesday at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland.
"I'm all messed up inside. It will definitely be the one shot I regret in my career. Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life."
Koepka said he had reached out to the family and hopes to talk to Remande.
"I'm torn up about it," he added. "She's not going to be able to see out of her eye again and I hit the golf ball, it's upsetting."
Brooks Koepka talks to reporters in St. Andrews.
Legal action
The 49-year-old Remande had traveled from her home in Egypt with her husband to watch the biennial team event between Europe and USA. She was standing to the left of the sixth hole when Koepka's miscued shot careered into the crowd.
Koepka, whose group reportedly shouted "fore" -- the signal to indicate a wayward shot -- attended the scene and signed a glove for Remande, admitting he was "shaken" for a few holes.
"It happened so fast, I didn't feel any pain when I was hit. I didn't feel like the ball had struck my eye and then I felt the blood start to pour," Remande told AFP.
She was taken to hospital in Paris and then transferred to Lyon where her family live.
"Doctors told me I had lost the use of that eye," she said, adding she is considering legal action against tournament organizers to recoup medical expenses.
Photos: The best photos from Le Golf National
Alex Noren of Europe celebrates with his teammates after winning his match on the 18th green. Europe won the Ryder Cup, defeating the US team on Sunday, September 30 in Paris, France.
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Photos: The best photos from Le Golf National
Team Europe's Tommy Fleetwood celebrates with spectators after winning the Ryder Cup on Sunday.
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Photos: The best photos from Le Golf National
Bubba Watson of the US shows emotion following his team's defeat at the Ryder Cup on Sunday.
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Photos: The best photos from Le Golf National
Francesco Molinari of Europe, right, celebrates winning the Ryder Cup with team captain Thomas Bjorn on Sunday.
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Photos: The best photos from Le Golf National
Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates winning his match on the 18th hole during singles matches on Sunday.
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Photos: The best photos from Le Golf National
Ian Poulter of Europe plays his shot from the first tee during singles matches on Sunday.
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