An elderly golfer cheated death when he was struck by lightning at a Hong Kong public golf course in Sai Kung on Thursday.

The 72-year-old man was struck while with his friend at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course shortly before 12.30pm. The pair began their games at around 9am.

According to the force, his friend, also aged 72, called police saying that the victim fell forward, bleeding from his nose and complaining of pain in his arms, but remained conscious.

A man was struck by lightning while playing at the Kau Sai Chau Golf Course.

A Government Flying Services helicopter airlifted the victim to the helipad in Wan Chai and then he was taken by ambulance to Ruttonjee Hospital for treatment.

A police spokesman said a burn mark was found on the left forearm of the victim, who told officers he was struck by lightning while playing golf.

A thunderstorm warning issued at 10.15am was in force at the time of the incident.

Between midday and 12.59pm, 99 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were recorded across the city, with another 238 cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes.

In one of the thunderstorm warnings, the Observatory advised the public to seek safe shelter.

“Do not stand on high ground. Keep away from highly conductive objects, trees or masts,” the Observatory said.

There have been two incidents involving lightning in the past two months.

On July 30, a 23-year-old male hiker died after being hit by lightning at Nui Po Shan in Ma On Shan Country Park while a thunderstorm warning was in force.

In June, a 77-year-old British expatriate man was hit by lightning at a coastal spot at Sok Kwu Wan in Lamma Island and suffered shoulder and chest injuries.