# Lightning Strike Nearly Killed Lee Trevino

> Lee Trevino survived a 1975 lightning strike that caused severe injuries but reshaped his golf career.
- Title: Lightning Strike Nearly Killed Lee Trevino · EssentiallySports
- Summary: Lee Trevino survived a 1975 lightning strike that caused severe injuries but reshaped his golf career.
- Keywords: lee trevino, lightning strike, golf, spinal injury, back surgery, western open, butler national golf club, sports, Lightning, Strike, Nearly, Killed
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/golf-news-lightning-strike-once-nearly-killed-lee-trevino-and-left-him-with-lasting-injuries
- Author: Abhimanyu Gupta
- Published: 2026-10-14T20:23:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lee trevino, lightning strike, golf, spinal injury, back surgery, western open, butler national golf club, sports
## Lee Trevino's Lightning Strike
Lee Trevino survived a lightning strike during the 1975 Western Open at Butler National Golf Club.
## Trevino Struck by Lightning
A bolt of lightning traveled through marsh and reached Trevino via metal spikes in his shoes.
## Trevino's Experience
Trevino described seeing his life flash before his eyes and losing consciousness.

> When people say that everything flashes in front of you … your whole life … it really does
## Injuries Sustained
Trevino suffered burns on his back and spinal disc damage requiring two back operations.
## Heard and Nichols Injured
Jerry Heard had burns to his upper right leg and was hospitalized overnight; Bobby Nichols suffered head burns and observation.
## Trevino's Adaptation
Trevino changed his swing posture and approach to play after spinal injuries.

> I now stand more upright and I don’t cut the ball like I used to
## Lightning Safety Lesson
The incident highlights why golfers must seek shelter during thunderstorms to avoid lightning strikes.
## Key takeaway

Lee Trevino survived a 1975 lightning strike that caused spinal injuries and required back surgery but returned to competitive golf.