Just before Daniela Holmqvist of Sweden began her day of competition at the ISPS Handa Australian Open in Yarralumla, Australia, she felt a sharp stab in her ankle, Golf Digest Woman reported.
When she looked down, she saw a large, furry black creature with a red spot on its back just above her sock line, according to Golf Digest Woman. She immediately doubled over in pain.
"When I told the local caddies in my group what had happened, they got very upset and said it was a Black Widow, and immediately started looking for their phones to call the medics," Holmqvist told Golf Digest Woman.
Because Black Widow bites could be fatal, and Holmqvist's leg started to swell and become more painful, she quickly decided to take matters into her own hands, Golf Digest Woman reported. She pulled a tee out her pocket and proceeded to cut open the wound herself; then she squeezed out the venom and prevented it from spreading throughout her body.
"A clear fluid came out," she said, according to Golf Digest Woman. "It wasn't the prettiest thing I've ever done, but I had to get as much of it out of me as possible."
Her quick-thinking actions appeared to be effective. Although an official was called, Holmvquist decided to continue playing, despite continued severe pain and concerns about her well-being. Medics followed her as she played the remaining 14 holes, to make sure she didn't pass out, and kept tabs on her behavior and swelling. Although she finished the round, she shot 74, which left her out of the tournament, Golf Digest Woman reported.
"It still hurts," she told Svensk Golf, as reported by Golf Digest Woman. "I don't recommend getting bitten by a Black Widow."
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