Amputee to star in Scotland

De los Santos: inspiring sight

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Despite a plethora of top professionals and leading celebrities taking part, it could be 25-year-old Manuel de los Santos who steals the show at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The Dominican Republic-born golfer may currently be an unknown to golfing galleries, but he could well eclipse the big names and prove the most inspiring viewing of the week in Scotland.

Why? Well De los Santos had his left leg amputated when he was 18 after being knocked down in an accident by a car.

However, unlike most amputees who choose to continue playing the game, he has decided not to wear a prosthetic limb and instead makes his way around the course on crutches.

A quite astounding sight to behold, De los Santos is balanced on one leg when he swings the club, yet can hit the ball over 250 yards in the air and has reduced his handicap to just three since taking up the sport four years ago.

He is now set to star at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns and is determined to enjoy his experience.

"When I'm here on the golf course, I don't think I have (a) problem," he told Sky Sports News. "I forget everything.

"I want to show the world I love this game. When I go back (home) I say to my friends I play St Andrews. This is enough for me."

Emotional

It promises to be an emotional week for the former baseball player who was on the verge of joining Major League team The Toronto Blue Jays before his accident.

"I feel this week I'm going to cry," he added.

De Los Santos can first be seen at Kingsbarns on Thursday where he will form part of a four-ball featuring pros Richard Bland and Gavin Dear as well as ex-Argentine rugby union star Hugo Porta teeing off (at the 10th) at 0944BST.

He then moves to Carnoustie on Friday (tee-off 1112BST at the 10th) before his dream date with St Andrews (tee-off 1017BST from the first).