Amputee takes to the Scottish links for Dunhill Championships

From Sky News in the UK:

Despite the pro' golfers, sports and film stars playing at golf's Dunhill Links Championships this weekend unheralded amateur Manuel De Los Santos (pictured)will attract plenty of attention.

De Los Santos is an amputee who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident seven years ago at the age of 18.

Up until his accident De Los Santos had been a promising baseball player on the verge of joining major league team the Toronto Blue Jays.

He is now playing golf off a handicap of three and is sponsored by Allianz to play on their satellite tour in France.

He moved to Paris from the Dominican Republic after his accident and having been inspired by the Will Smith movie The Legend Of Bagger Vance he went to his local driving range the next day.

Finding he still had an athlete's natural balance he struck the ball well and the managers of the range let him hit as many balls as he wanted to for free. So he did, hitting from morning until night.

De Los Santos is now fulfilling a dream by playing at St Andrews during the Links event which sees amateurs paired with professionals and playing at Kingsbarn and Carnoustie as well as the home of golf: "When I go back, I say to my friends, I play at St Andrews. This is enough for me."

Like all sportsmen De Los Santos is looking to improve and is hoping his week in Scotland will help, but he's not in the UK just to take part: "I come here for play better. To win the tournament, the Pro Am."

The Dominican has a simple approach to the game: "When I here on the golf course I don't think I have a problem. Only I know I have to punch the little ball in the hole."