Parnevik nearly severs finger, career in doubt

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Mar 30, 2012 3:56 PM ET

The golfing career of Jesper Parnevik is in jeopardy after a boating accident, which will require surgery on his right, index finger.

The 47-year-old Swede caught his hand in a motorized boat winch on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. The injury occurred as Parnevik was trying to bring his boat out of the water. 

"When I saw the edges of the machine, I was 100-percent sure that I lost all the fingers. I was terrified," Parnevik said in an interview translated to English with the news website Aftonbladet.se.

Parnevik underwent surgery in a Jupiter, Fla., hospital on Thursday. He is expected to face four months of rehabilitation.

"The doctor thinks that it will be good, but it can take a hell of a time. I think that you cannot do so damn much without the right hand. It is quite important, not just in golf," he said.

Parnevik has made three starts on the PGA Tour this season, making his lone cut by finishing 76th at the Transitions Championship. 

Battling myriad injuries of the hip, neck and back, Parnevik has a Major Medical Exemption on the PGA Tour. When he returns, he has 12 tournaments to make $620,087 and maintain status.